Method and apparatus for supporting large subcarrier spacing for SS/PBCH block

ABSTRACT

A UE in a wireless communication system is provided. The UE comprises a transceiver configured to receive SS/PBCH block over downlink channels using a set of parameters based on an operation mode. The operation mode is configured for the SS/PBCH block as a first operation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is used on a LAA Scell or a second operation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is at least used on a Pcell. The set of parameters is configured as a first set of parameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of the SS/PBCH block is configured as the first operation mode or a second set of parameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of the SS/PBCH block is configured as the second operation mode. The first and second set of parameters include different information each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority to:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,118, filed        on Mar. 28, 2018;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,859, filed        on May 2, 2018;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/667,868, filed        on May 7, 2018;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/670,305, filed        on May 11, 2018;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/724,226, filed        on Aug. 29, 2018; and    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/793,985, filed        on Jan. 18, 2019.        The content of the above-identified patent documents are        incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to subcarrier spacing. Morespecifically, this disclosure relates to larger subcarrier spacing forSS/PBCH block in an advanced wireless communication system.

BACKGROUND

For a new radio (NR) licensed spectrum, each synchronization andphysical broadcasting channel (PBCH) signal block (SS/PBCH block)comprises one symbol for NR-primary synchronization signal (NR-PSS), twosymbols for NR-PBCH, and one symbol for NR-secondary synchronizationsignal (NR-SSS) and NR-PBCH, where the four symbols are mappedconsecutively and time division multiplexed. An NR-SS is a unifieddesign, including the NR-PSS and NR-SSS sequence design, for allsupported carrier frequency ranges in the NR. The transmission bandwidthof NR-PSS and NR-SSS is smaller than the transmission bandwidth of thewhole SS/PBCH block. For initial cell selection for an NR cell, a UEassumes the default SS burst set periodicity as 20 ms, and for detectinga non-standalone NR cell, network provides one SS burst set periodicityinformation per frequency carrier to the UE and information to derivemeasurement timing/duration. Other than a master information block(MIB), the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) is carried byphysical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) with scheduling info carried bythe corresponding physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). A controlresource set (CORESET) for receiving common control channels is requiredto be configured, and can be transmitted in PBCH.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide larger subcarrier spacingfor SS/PBCH block in an advanced wireless communication system.

In one embodiment, a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communicationsystem is provided. The UE comprises a transceiver configured toreceive, from a base station (BS), synchronization signals and physicalbroadcast channels (SS/PBCH) block over downlink channels using a set ofparameters based on an operation mode. The operation mode is configuredfor the SS/PBCH block as a first operation mode in which the SS/PBCHblock is used on a licensed-assisted-access (LAA) secondary cell (Scell)or a second operation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is at least usedon a primary cell (Pcell). The set of parameters is configured as afirst set of parameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode ofthe SS/PBCH block is configured as the first operation mode or a secondset of parameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of theSS/PBCH block is configured as the second operation mode, and the firstand second set of parameters include different information each other,the information comprising at least one of an SS/PBCH block structure oran SS/PBCH block time-domain mapping pattern.

In another embodiment, a base station (BS) in a wireless communicationsystem is provided. The BS comprises at least one processor configuredto configure an operation mode for synchronization signals and physicalbroadcast channels (SS/PBCH) block as a first operation mode in whichthe SS/PBCH block is used on a licensed-assisted-access (LAA) secondarycell (Scell) or a second operation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is atleast used on a primary cell (Pcell), and configure a set of parametersas a first set of parameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operationmode of the SS/PBCH block is configured as the first operation mode or asecond set of parameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation modeof the SS/PBCH block is configured as the second operation mode, whereinthe first and second set of parameters include different informationeach other, the information comprising at least one of an SS/PBCH blockstructure or an SS/PBCH block time-domain mapping pattern. The BSfurther comprises a transceiver operably connected to the at least oneprocessor, the transceiver configured to transmit, to a user equipment(UE), the SS/PBCH block over downlink channels using the configured setof parameters based on the configured operation mode.

In yet another embodiment, a method of a base station (BS) in a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The method comprises configuring anoperation mode for synchronization signals and physical broadcastchannels (SS/PBCH) block as a first operation mode in which the SS/PBCHblock is used on a licensed-assisted-access (LAA) secondary cell (Scell)or a second operation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is at least usedon a primary cell (Pcell), configuring a set of parameters as a firstset of parameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of theSS/PBCH block is configured as the first operation mode or a second setof parameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of theSS/PBCH block is configured as the second operation mode, wherein thefirst and second set of parameters include different information eachother, the information comprising at least one of an SS/PBCH blockstructure or an SS/PBCH block time-domain mapping pattern, andtransmitting, to a user equipment (UE), the SS/PBCH block over downlinkchannels using the configured set of parameters based on the configuredoperation mode.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in theart from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivativesrefer to any direct or indirect communication between two or moreelements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with oneanother. The terms “transmit,” “receive,” and “communicate,” as well asderivatives thereof, encompass both direct and indirect communication.The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, meaninclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaningand/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof,means to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, becontained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicablewith, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be boundto or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, orthe like. The term “controller” means any device, system or part thereofthat controls at least one operation. Such a controller may beimplemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software and/orfirmware. The functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Thephrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means thatdifferent combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used,and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least oneof: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, Aand B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented orsupported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed fromcomputer readable program code and embodied in a computer readablemedium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or morecomputer programs, software components, sets of instructions,procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or aportion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computerreadable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code”includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code,and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes anytype of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as readonly memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, acompact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type ofmemory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired,wireless, optical, or other communication links that transporttransitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computerreadable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored andmedia where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as arewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.

Definitions for other certain words and phrases are provided throughoutthis patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art shouldunderstand that in many if not most instances, such definitions apply toprior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example gNB according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example UE according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4A illustrates a high-level diagram of an orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access transmit path according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4B illustrates a high-level diagram of an orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access receive path according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a transmitter block diagram for a PDSCH in a subframeaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a receiver block diagram for a PDSCH in a subframeaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a transmitter block diagram for a PUSCH in a subframeaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a receiver block diagram for a PUSCH in a subframeaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example time domain positions for the mapping ofPSS/SSS for FDD and TDD according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example OFDM symbol according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example SS/PBCH mapping pattern according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example a number of SS/PBCH blocks according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13A illustrates an example a multiplexing pattern of SS/PBCH blockaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13B illustrates another example a multiplexing pattern of SS/PBCHblock according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13C illustrates yet another example a multiplexing pattern ofSS/PBCH block according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example mapping design according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 illustrates yet another example mapping design according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 illustrates an example a mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocksaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 illustrates another example a mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocksaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 illustrates yet another example a mapping pattern of SS/PBCHblocks according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 illustrates yet another example a mapping pattern of SS/PBCHblocks according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 33 illustrates an example BW of SS/PBCH block according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 illustrates another example BW of SS/PBCH block according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 35 illustrates an example mapping of SS/PBCH block according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 illustrates another example mapping of SS/PBCH block accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 37 illustrates yet another example mapping of SS/PBCH blockaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38A illustrates an example location of SS/PBCH blocks according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38B illustrates another example location of SS/PBCH blocksaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 39 illustrates a flow chart of a method for supporting largersubcarrier spacing according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 through FIG. 39, discussed below, and the various embodimentsused to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

The following documents and standards descriptions are herebyincorporated by reference into the present disclosure as if fully setforth herein: 3GPP TS 38.211 v15.0.0, “NR; Physical channels andmodulation;” 3GPP TS 38.212 v15.0.0, “NR; Multiplexing and channelcoding;” 3GPP TS 38.213 v15.0.0, “NR; Physical layer procedures forcontrol;” 3GPP TS 38.214 v15.0.0, “NR; Physical layer procedures fordata;” 3GPP TS 38.215 v15.0.0, “NR; Physical layer measurements;” and3GPP TS 38.331 v15.0.0, “NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocolspecification.”

To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased sincedeployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made todevelop an improved 5G or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5Gor pre-5G communication system is also called a “beyond 4G network” or a“post LTE system.”

The 5G communication system is considered to be implemented in higherfrequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., 60 GHz bands, so as to accomplish higherdata rates. To decrease propagation loss of the radio waves and increasethe transmission coverage, the beamforming, massive multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna,an analog beam forming, large scale antenna techniques and the like arediscussed in 5G communication systems.

In addition, in 5G communication systems, development for system networkimprovement is under way based on advanced small cells, cloud radioaccess networks (RANs), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D)communication, wireless backhaul communication, moving network,cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP) transmissionand reception, interference mitigation and cancellation and the like.

In the 5G system, hybrid frequency shift keying and quadrature amplitudemodulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as anadaptive modulation and coding (AMC) technique, and filter bank multicarrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and sparse codemultiple access (SCMA) as an advanced access technology have beendeveloped.

FIGS. 1-4B below describe various embodiments implemented in wirelesscommunications systems and with the use of orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access(OFDMA) communication techniques. The descriptions of FIGS. 1-3 are notmeant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner inwhich different embodiments may be implemented. Different embodiments ofthe present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably-arrangedcommunications system.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. The embodiment of the wireless network shownin FIG. 1 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the wirelessnetwork 100 could be used without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless network includes a gNB 101, a gNB 102,and a gNB 103. The gNB 101 communicates with the gNB 102 and the gNB103. The gNB 101 also communicates with at least one network 130, suchas the Internet, a proprietary Internet Protocol (IP) network, or otherdata network.

The gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to the network 130 for afirst plurality of UEs within a coverage area 120 of the gNB 102. Thefirst plurality of UEs includes a UE 111, which may be located in asmall business (SB); a UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise(E); a UE 113, which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); a UE 114,which may be located in a first residence (R); a UE 115, which may belocated in a second residence (R); and a UE 116, which may be a mobiledevice (M), such as a cell phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless PDA, orthe like. The gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to the network130 for a second plurality of UEs within a coverage area 125 of the gNB103. The second plurality of UEs includes the UE 115 and the UE 116. Insome embodiments, one or more of the gNBs 101-103 may communicate witheach other and with the UEs 111-116 using 5G, LTE, LTE-A, WiMAX, WiFi,or other wireless communication techniques.

Depending on the network type, the term “base station” or “BS” can referto any component (or collection of components) configured to providewireless access to a network, such as transmit point (TP),transmit-receive point (TRP), an enhanced base station (eNodeB or eNB),a 5G base station (gNB), a macrocell, a femtocell, a WiFi access point(AP), or other wirelessly enabled devices. Base stations may providewireless access in accordance with one or more wireless communicationprotocols, e.g., 5G 3GPP new radio interface/access (NR), long termevolution (LTE), LTE advanced (LTE-A), high speed packet access (HSPA),Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, etc. For the sake of convenience, the terms “BS”and “TRP” are used interchangeably in this patent document to refer tonetwork infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remoteterminals. Also, depending on the network type, the term “userequipment” or “UE” can refer to any component such as “mobile station,”“subscriber station,” “remote terminal,” “wireless terminal,” “receivepoint,” or “user device.” For the sake of convenience, the terms “userequipment” and “UE” are used in this patent document to refer to remotewireless equipment that wirelessly accesses a BS, whether the UE is amobile device (such as a mobile telephone or smartphone) or is normallyconsidered a stationary device (such as a desktop computer or vendingmachine).

Dotted lines show the approximate extents of the coverage areas 120 and125, which are shown as approximately circular for the purposes ofillustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood thatthe coverage areas associated with gNBs, such as the coverage areas 120and 125, may have other shapes, including irregular shapes, dependingupon the configuration of the gNBs and variations in the radioenvironment associated with natural and man-made obstructions.

As described in more detail below, one or more of the UEs 111-116include circuitry, programing, or a combination thereof, for efficientdiscovery signal and channel with larger subcarrier spacing. In certainembodiments, and one or more of the gNBs 101-103 includes circuitry,programing, or a combination thereof, for efficient discovery signal andchannel with larger subcarrier spacing for SS/PBCH block.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a wireless network, variouschanges may be made to FIG. 1. For example, the wireless network couldinclude any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in any suitablearrangement. Also, the gNB 101 could communicate directly with anynumber of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access tothe network 130. Similarly, each gNB 102-103 could communicate directlywith the network 130 and provide UEs with direct wireless broadbandaccess to the network 130. Further, the gNBs 101, 102, and/or 103 couldprovide access to other or additional external networks, such asexternal telephone networks or other types of data networks.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example gNB 102 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The embodiment of the gNB 102 illustrated in FIG. 2is for illustration only, and the gNBs 101 and 103 of FIG. 1 could havethe same or similar configuration. However, gNBs come in a wide varietyof configurations, and FIG. 2 does not limit the scope of thisdisclosure to any particular implementation of a gNB.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gNB 102 includes multiple antennas 205 a-205 n,multiple RF transceivers 210 a-210 n, transmit (TX) processing circuitry215, and receive (RX) processing circuitry 220. The gNB 102 alsoincludes a controller/processor 225, a memory 230, and a backhaul ornetwork interface 235.

The RF transceivers 210 a-210 n receive, from the antennas 205 a-205 n,incoming RF signals, such as signals transmitted by UEs in the network100. The RF transceivers 210 a-210 n down-convert the incoming RFsignals to generate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signalsare sent to the RX processing circuitry 220, which generates processedbaseband signals by filtering, decoding, and/or digitizing the basebandor IF signals. The RX processing circuitry 220 transmits the processedbaseband signals to the controller/processor 225 for further processing.

The TX processing circuitry 215 receives analog or digital data (such asvoice data, web data, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from thecontroller/processor 225. The TX processing circuitry 215 encodes,multiplexes, and/or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generateprocessed baseband or IF signals. The RF transceivers 210 a-210 nreceive the outgoing processed baseband or IF signals from the TXprocessing circuitry 215 and up-converts the baseband or IF signals toRF signals that are transmitted via the antennas 205 a-205 n.

The controller/processor 225 can include one or more processors or otherprocessing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102.For example, the controller/processor 225 could control the reception offorward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signalsby the RF transceivers 210 a-210 n, the RX processing circuitry 220, andthe TX processing circuitry 215 in accordance with well-knownprinciples. The controller/processor 225 could support additionalfunctions as well, such as more advanced wireless communicationfunctions. For instance, the controller/processor 225 could support beamforming or directional routing operations in which outgoing signals frommultiple antennas 205 a-205 n are weighted differently to effectivelysteer the outgoing signals in a desired direction. Any of a wide varietyof other functions could be supported in the gNB 102 by thecontroller/processor 225.

The controller/processor 225 is also capable of executing programs andother processes resident in the memory 230, such as an OS. Thecontroller/processor 225 can move data into or out of the memory 230 asrequired by an executing process.

The controller/processor 225 is also coupled to the backhaul or networkinterface 235. The backhaul or network interface 235 allows the gNB 102to communicate with other devices or systems over a backhaul connectionor over a network. The interface 235 could support communications overany suitable wired or wireless connection(s). For example, when the gNB102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such asone supporting 5G, LTE, or LTE-A), the interface 235 could allow the gNB102 to communicate with other gNBs over a wired or wireless backhaulconnection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, theinterface 235 could allow the gNB 102 to communicate over a wired orwireless local area network or over a wired or wireless connection to alarger network (such as the Internet). The interface 235 includes anysuitable structure supporting communications over a wired or wirelessconnection, such as an Ethernet or RF transceiver.

The memory 230 is coupled to the controller/processor 225. Part of thememory 230 could include a RAM, and another part of the memory 230 couldinclude a Flash memory or other ROM.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates one example of gNB 102, various changes maybe made to FIG. 2. For example, the gNB 102 could include any number ofeach component shown in FIG. 2. As a particular example, an access pointcould include a number of interfaces 235, and the controller/processor225 could support routing functions to route data between differentnetwork addresses. As another particular example, while shown asincluding a single instance of TX processing circuitry 215 and a singleinstance of RX processing circuitry 220, the gNB 102 could includemultiple instances of each (such as one per RF transceiver). Also,various components in FIG. 2 could be combined, further subdivided, oromitted and additional components could be added according to particularneeds.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example UE 116 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The embodiment of the UE 116 illustrated in FIG. 3is for illustration only, and the UEs 111-115 of FIG. 1 could have thesame or similar configuration. However, UEs come in a wide variety ofconfigurations, and FIG. 3 does not limit the scope of this disclosureto any particular implementation of a UE.

As shown in FIG. 3, the UE 116 includes an antenna 305, a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver 310, TX processing circuitry 315, amicrophone 320, and receive (RX) processing circuitry 325. The UE 116also includes a speaker 330, a processor 340, an input/output (I/O)interface (IF) 345, a touchscreen 350, a display 355, and a memory 360.The memory 360 includes an operating system (OS) 361 and one or moreapplications 362.

The RF transceiver 310 receives, from the antenna 305, an incoming RFsignal transmitted by a gNB of the network 100. The RF transceiver 310down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate an intermediatefrequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is sent tothe RX processing circuitry 325, which generates a processed basebandsignal by filtering, decoding, and/or digitizing the baseband or IFsignal. The RX processing circuitry 325 transmits the processed basebandsignal to the speaker 330 (such as for voice data) or to the processor340 for further processing (such as for web browsing data).

The TX processing circuitry 315 receives analog or digital voice datafrom the microphone 320 or other outgoing baseband data (such as webdata, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from the processor 340.The TX processing circuitry 315 encodes, multiplexes, and/or digitizesthe outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IFsignal. The RF transceiver 310 receives the outgoing processed basebandor IF signal from the TX processing circuitry 315 and up-converts thebaseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted via theantenna 305.

The processor 340 can include one or more processors or other processingdevices and execute the OS 361 stored in the memory 360 in order tocontrol the overall operation of the UE 116. For example, the processor340 could control the reception of forward channel signals and thetransmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceiver 310, theRX processing circuitry 325, and the TX processing circuitry 315 inaccordance with well-known principles. In some embodiments, theprocessor 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

The processor 340 is also capable of executing other processes andprograms resident in the memory 360, such as processes for CSI reportingon PUCCH. The processor 340 can move data into or out of the memory 360as required by an executing process. In some embodiments, the processor340 is configured to execute the applications 362 based on the OS 361 orin response to signals received from gNBs or an operator. The processor340 is also coupled to the I/O interface 345, which provides the UE 116with the ability to connect to other devices, such as laptop computersand handheld computers. The I/O interface 345 is the communication pathbetween these accessories and the processor 340.

The processor 340 is also coupled to the touchscreen 350 and the display355. The operator of the UE 116 can use the touchscreen 350 to enterdata into the UE 116. The display 355 may be a liquid crystal display,light emitting diode display, or other display capable of rendering textand/or at least limited graphics, such as from web sites.

The memory 360 is coupled to the processor 340. Part of the memory 360could include a random access memory (RAM), and another part of thememory 360 could include a Flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

Although FIG. 3 illustrates one example of UE 116, various changes maybe made to FIG. 3. For example, various components in FIG. 3 could becombined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components couldbe added according to particular needs. As a particular example, theprocessor 340 could be divided into multiple processors, such as one ormore central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processingunits (GPUs). Also, while FIG. 3 illustrates the UE 116 configured as amobile telephone or smartphone, UEs could be configured to operate asother types of mobile or stationary devices.

FIG. 4A is a high-level diagram of transmit path circuitry. For example,the transmit path circuitry may be used for an orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access (OFDMA) communication. FIG. 4B is a high-leveldiagram of receive path circuitry. For example, the receive pathcircuitry may be used for an orthogonal frequency division multipleaccess (OFDMA) communication. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, for downlinkcommunication, the transmit path circuitry may be implemented in a basestation (gNB) 102 or a relay station, and the receive path circuitry maybe implemented in a user equipment (e.g. user equipment 116 of FIG. 1).In other examples, for uplink communication, the receive path circuitry450 may be implemented in a base station (e.g. gNB 102 of FIG. 1) or arelay station, and the transmit path circuitry may be implemented in auser equipment (e.g. user equipment 116 of FIG. 1).

Transmit path circuitry comprises channel coding and modulation block405, serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 410, Size N Inverse Fast FourierTransform (IFFT) block 415, parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block 420, addcyclic prefix block 425, and up-converter (UC) 430. Receive pathcircuitry 450 comprises down-converter (DC) 455, remove cyclic prefixblock 460, serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 465, Size N Fast FourierTransform (FFT) block 470, parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block 475, andchannel decoding and demodulation block 480.

At least some of the components in FIGS. 4A 400 and 4B 450 may beimplemented in software, while other components may be implemented byconfigurable hardware or a mixture of software and configurablehardware. In particular, it is noted that the FFT blocks and the IFFTblocks described in this disclosure document may be implemented asconfigurable software algorithms, where the value of Size N may bemodified according to the implementation.

Furthermore, although this disclosure is directed to an embodiment thatimplements the Fast Fourier Transform and the Inverse Fast FourierTransform, this is by way of illustration only and may not be construedto limit the scope of the disclosure. It may be appreciated that in analternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the Fast FourierTransform functions and the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform functions mayeasily be replaced by discrete Fourier transform (DFT) functions andinverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) functions, respectively. Itmay be appreciated that for DFT and IDFT functions, the value of the Nvariable may be any integer number (i.e., 1, 4, 3, 4, etc.), while forFFT and IFFT functions, the value of the N variable may be any integernumber that is a power of two (i.e., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.).

In transmit path circuitry 400, channel coding and modulation block 405receives a set of information bits, applies coding (e.g., LDPC coding)and modulates (e.g., quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) or quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM)) the input bits to produce a sequence offrequency-domain modulation symbols. Serial-to-parallel block 410converts (i.e., de-multiplexes) the serial modulated symbols to paralleldata to produce N parallel symbol streams where N is the IFFT/FFT sizeused in BS 102 and UE 116. Size N IFFT block 415 then performs an IFFToperation on the N parallel symbol streams to produce time-domain outputsignals. Parallel-to-serial block 420 converts (i.e., multiplexes) theparallel time-domain output symbols from Size N IFFT block 415 toproduce a serial time-domain signal. Add cyclic prefix block 425 theninserts a cyclic prefix to the time-domain signal. Finally, up-converter430 modulates (i.e., up-converts) the output of add cyclic prefix block425 to RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signalmay also be filtered at baseband before conversion to RF frequency.

The transmitted RF signal arrives at UE 116 after passing through thewireless channel, and reverse operations to those at the gNB 102 areperformed. Down-converter 455 down-converts the received signal tobaseband frequency, and remove cyclic prefix block 460 removes thecyclic prefix to produce the serial time-domain baseband signal.Serial-to-parallel block 465 converts the time-domain baseband signal toparallel time-domain signals. Size N FFT block 470 then performs an FFTalgorithm to produce N parallel frequency-domain signals.Parallel-to-serial block 475 converts the parallel frequency-domainsignals to a sequence of modulated data symbols. Channel decoding anddemodulation block 480 demodulates and then decodes the modulatedsymbols to recover the original input data stream.

Each of gNBs 101-103 may implement a transmit path that is analogous totransmitting in the downlink to user equipment 111-116 and may implementa receive path that is analogous to receiving in the uplink from userequipment 111-116. Similarly, each one of user equipment 111-116 mayimplement a transmit path corresponding to the architecture fortransmitting in the uplink to the gNBs 101-103 and may implement areceive path corresponding to the architecture for receiving in thedownlink from gNBs 101-103.

5G communication system use cases have been identified and described.Those use cases can be roughly categorized into three different groups.In one example, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) is determined to dowith high bits/sec requirement, with less stringent latency andreliability requirements. In another example, ultra-reliable and lowlatency (URLL) is determined with less stringent bits/sec requirement.In yet another example, massive machine type communication (mMTC) isdetermined that a number of devices can be as many as 100,000 to 1million per km2, but the reliability/throughput/latency requirementcould be less stringent. This scenario may also involve power efficiencyrequirement as well, in that the battery consumption should be minimizedas possible.

A communication system includes a downlink (DL) that conveys signalsfrom transmission points such as base stations (BSs) or NodeBs to userequipments (UEs) and an Uplink (UL) that conveys signals from UEs toreception points such as NodeBs. A UE, also commonly referred to as aterminal or a mobile station, may be fixed or mobile and may be acellular phone, a personal computer device, or an automated device. AneNodeB, which is generally a fixed station, may also be referred to asan access point or other equivalent terminology. For LTE systems, aNodeB is often referred as an eNodeB.

In a communication system, such as LTE system, DL signals can includedata signals conveying information content, control signals conveying DLcontrol information (DCI), and reference signals (RS) that are alsoknown as pilot signals. An eNodeB transmits data information through aphysical DL shared channel (PDSCH). An eNodeB transmits DCI through aphysical DL control channel (PDCCH) or an Enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH).

An eNodeB transmits acknowledgement information in response to datatransport block (TB) transmission from a UE in a physical hybrid ARQindicator channel (PHICH). An eNodeB transmits one or more of multipletypes of RS including a UE-common RS (CRS), a channel state informationRS (CSI-RS), or a demodulation RS (DMRS). A CRS is transmitted over a DLsystem bandwidth (BW) and can be used by UEs to obtain a channelestimate to demodulate data or control information or to performmeasurements. To reduce CRS overhead, an eNodeB may transmit a CSI-RSwith a smaller density in the time and/or frequency domain than a CRS.DMRS can be transmitted only in the BW of a respective PDSCH or EPDCCHand a UE can use the DMRS to demodulate data or control information in aPDSCH or an EPDCCH, respectively. A transmission time interval for DLchannels is referred to as a subframe and can have, for example,duration of 1 millisecond.

DL signals also include transmission of a logical channel that carriessystem control information. A BCCH is mapped to either a transportchannel referred to as a broadcast channel (BCH) when the BCCH conveys amaster information block (MIB) or to a DL shared channel (DL-SCH) whenthe BCCH conveys a system information block (SIB). Most systeminformation is included in different SIBs that are transmitted usingDL-SCH. A presence of system information on a DL-SCH in a subframe canbe indicated by a transmission of a corresponding PDCCH conveying acodeword with a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) scrambled with specialsystem information RNTI (SI-RNTI). Alternatively, scheduling informationfor a SIB transmission can be provided in an earlier SIB and schedulinginformation for the first SIB (SIB-1) can be provided by the MIB.

DL resource allocation is performed in a unit of subframe and a group ofphysical resource blocks (PRBs). A transmission BW includes frequencyresource units referred to as resource blocks (RBs). Each RB includesN_(sc) ^(RB) sub-carriers, or resource elements (REs), such as 12 REs. Aunit of one RB over one subframe is referred to as a PRB. A UE can beallocated M_(PDSCH) RBs for a total of M_(sc) ^(PDSCH)=M_(PDSCH)·N_(sc)^(RB) REs for the PDSCH transmission BW.

UL signals can include data signals conveying data information, controlsignals conveying UL control information (UCI), and UL RS. UL RSincludes DMRS and Sounding RS (SRS). A UE transmits DMRS only in a BW ofa respective PUSCH or PUCCH. An eNodeB can use a DMRS to demodulate datasignals or UCI signals. A UE transmits SRS to provide an eNodeB with anUL CSI. A UE transmits data information or UCI through a respectivephysical UL shared channel (PUSCH) or a Physical UL control channel(PUCCH). If a UE needs to transmit data information and UCI in a same ULsubframe, the UE may multiplex both in a PUSCH. UCI includes HybridAutomatic Repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) information,indicating correct (ACK) or incorrect (NACK) detection for a data TB ina PDSCH or absence of a PDCCH detection (DTX), scheduling request (SR)indicating whether a UE has data in the UE's buffer, rank indicator(RI), and channel state information (CSI) enabling an eNodeB to performlink adaptation for PDSCH transmissions to a UE. HARQ-ACK information isalso transmitted by a UE in response to a detection of a PDCCH/EPDCCHindicating a release of semi-persistently scheduled PDSCH.

An UL subframe includes two slots. Each slot includes N_(symb) ^(UL)symbols for transmitting data information, UCI, DMRS, or SRS. Afrequency resource unit of an UL system BW is a RB. A UE is allocatedN_(RB) RBs for a total of N_(RB)·N_(sc) ^(RB) REs for a transmission BW.For a PUCCH, N_(RB)=1. A last subframe symbol can be used to multiplexSRS transmissions from one or more UEs. A number of subframe symbolsthat are available for data/UCI/DMRS transmission isN_(symb)=2·(N_(symb) ^(UL)−1)−N_(SRS) where N_(SRS)=1 if a last subframesymbol is used to transmit SRS and N_(SRS)=0 otherwise.

FIG. 5 illustrates a transmitter block diagram 500 for a PDSCH in asubframe according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theembodiment of the transmitter block diagram 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 isfor illustration only. FIG. 5 does not limit the scope of thisdisclosure to any particular implementation of the transmitter blockdiagram 500.

As shown in FIG. 5, information bits 510 are encoded by encoder 520,such as a turbo encoder, and modulated by modulator 530, for exampleusing quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation. A serial toparallel (S/P) converter 540 generates M modulation symbols that aresubsequently provided to a mapper 550 to be mapped to REs selected by atransmission BW selection unit 555 for an assigned PDSCH transmissionBW, unit 560 applies an Inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), theoutput is then serialized by a parallel to serial (P/S) converter 570 tocreate a time domain signal, filtering is applied by filter 580, and asignal transmitted 590. Additional functionalities, such as datascrambling, cyclic prefix insertion, time windowing, interleaving, andothers are well known in the art and are not shown for brevity.

FIG. 6 illustrates a receiver block diagram 600 for a PDSCH in asubframe according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theembodiment of the diagram 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 is for illustrationonly. FIG. 6 does not limit the scope of this disclosure to anyparticular implementation of the diagram 600.

As shown in FIG. 6, a received signal 610 is filtered by filter 620, REs630 for an assigned reception BW are selected by BW selector 635, unit640 applies a fast Fourier transform (FFT), and an output is serializedby a parallel-to-serial converter 650. Subsequently, a demodulator 660coherently demodulates data symbols by applying a channel estimateobtained from a DMRS or a CRS (not shown), and a decoder 670, such as aturbo decoder, decodes the demodulated data to provide an estimate ofthe information data bits 680. Additional functionalities such astime-windowing, cyclic prefix removal, de-scrambling, channelestimation, and de-interleaving are not shown for brevity.

FIG. 7 illustrates a transmitter block diagram 700 for a PUSCH in asubframe according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theembodiment of the block diagram 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 is forillustration only. FIG. 7 does not limit the scope of this disclosure toany particular implementation of the block diagram 700.

As shown in FIG. 7, information data bits 710 are encoded by encoder720, such as a turbo encoder, and modulated by modulator 730. A discreteFourier transform (DFT) unit 740 applies a DFT on the modulated databits, REs 750 corresponding to an assigned PUSCH transmission BW areselected by transmission BW selection unit 755, unit 760 applies an IFFTand, after a cyclic prefix insertion (not shown), filtering is appliedby filter 770 and a signal transmitted 780.

FIG. 8 illustrates a receiver block diagram 800 for a PUSCH in asubframe according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theembodiment of the block diagram 800 illustrated in FIG. 8 is forillustration only. FIG. 8 does not limit the scope of this disclosure toany particular implementation of the block diagram 800.

As shown in FIG. 8, a received signal 810 is filtered by filter 820.Subsequently, after a cyclic prefix is removed (not shown), unit 830applies a FFT, REs 840 corresponding to an assigned PUSCH reception BWare selected by a reception BW selector 845, unit 850 applies an inverseDFT (IDFT), a demodulator 860 coherently demodulates data symbols byapplying a channel estimate obtained from a DMRS (not shown), a decoder870, such as a turbo decoder, decodes the demodulated data to provide anestimate of the information data bits 880.

In next generation cellular systems, various use cases are envisionedbeyond the capabilities of LTE system. Termed 5G or the fifth generationcellular system, a system capable of operating at sub-6 GHz and above-6GHz (for example, in mmWave regime) becomes one of the requirements. In3GPP TR 22.891, 74 5G use cases has been identified and described; thoseuse cases can be roughly categorized into three different groups. Afirst group is termed ‘enhanced mobile broadband’ (eMBB), targeted tohigh data rate services with less stringent latency and reliabilityrequirements. A second group is termed “ultra-reliable and low latency(URLL)” targeted for applications with less stringent data raterequirements, but less tolerant to latency. A third group is termed“massive MTC (mMTC)” targeted for large number of low-power deviceconnections such as 1 million per km² with less stringent thereliability, data rate, and latency requirements.

In order for the 5G network to support such diverse services withdifferent quality of services (QoS), one embodiment has been identifiedin LTE specification, called network slicing. To utilize PHY resourcesefficiently and multiplex various slices (with different resourceallocation schemes, numerologies, and scheduling strategies) in DL-SCH,a flexible and self-contained frame or subframe design is utilized.

Power consumption and battery life are very important for terminals inan internet of thing (IoT). In a narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) or an enhancedmachine type communication (eMTC) system, the power of terminal devicescan be saved by means of configuring a power saving mode (PSM) or anextended discontinuous reception (eDRX) mode. However, a UE is unable tolisten paging messages during sleep in the PSM mode or the eDRX mode. Insome IoT application scenarios, a UE is required to establish aconnection with a network within a certain period of time afterreceiving a network command. Then the UE that has the requirement cannotbe configured with the PSM mode or the eDRX mode that has a relativelylong period.

In NB-IoT and an enhanced version of eMTC system, to enable a UE to bepaged, and meanwhile to save power, a wake-up or sleep signal/channel isintroduced after study and research. The wake-up signal/channel isconfigured to wake up a UE, i.e., a case where the UE needs to continueto monitor a subsequent MTC physical downlink control channel (MPDCCH)that is used to indicate a paging message. The sleep signal/channel isconfigured to instruct that a UE may enter into a sleep state, i.e., acase where the UE does not need to monitor a subsequent MPDCCH that isused to indicate a paging message.

In a multi-carrier system, a carrier that transmits a synchronizationsignal is called an anchor carrier, and in an LTE system, a pagingsignal is transmitted on an anchor carrier. In an NB-IoT system, ascheme for transmitting paging messages on non-anchor carriers isintroduced. In the eMTC system, multiple narrowbands are defined, inwhich a narrowband has 6 physical resource blocks (PRBs), and theconcept of paging narrowband is introduced. In addition, in the eMTCsystem, a downlink control channel for MTC, MPDCCH, is configured toindicate a paging message, and different UEs may monitor MPDCCHs ondifferent narrowbands. Similarly, in an ongoing 5G new radio (NR)system, there is a situation where the bandwidth of a UE is smaller thana system bandwidth, and in this case, multiple bandwidth parts may bedefined for a paging channel. For the case of multi-carrier ornarrowbands or partial bandwidths, it is an issue yet to be solved thathow to transmit and receive a wake-up or sleep signal.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example time domain positions 900 for the mappingof PSS/SSS for FDD and TDD according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The embodiment of the time domain positions 900 illustratedin FIG. 9 is for illustration only. FIG. 9 does not limit the scope ofthis disclosure to any particular implementation.

Referring to FIG. 9, in case of FDD, in every frame (905), a PSS (925)is transmitted within a last symbol of a first slot of subframes 0 and 5(910 and 915), wherein a subframe includes two slots. An SSS (920) istransmitted within a second last symbol of a same slot. In case of TDD,in every frame (955), a PSS (990) is transmitted within a third symbolof subframes 1 and 6 (965 and 980), while an (SSS) 985 is transmitted ina last symbol of subframes 0 and 5 (960 and 970). The difference allowsfor the detection of the duplex scheme on a cell. The resource elementsfor PSS and SSS are not available for transmission of any other type ofDL signals.

In the present disclosure, numerology refers to a set of signalparameters which can include subframe duration, sub-carrier spacing,cyclic prefix length, transmission bandwidth, or any combination ofthese signal parameters.

For LTE initial access, primary and secondary synchronization signals(PSS and SSS, respectively) are used for coarse timing and frequencysynchronization and cell ID acquisition. Since PSS/SSS is transmittedtwice per 10 ms radio frame and time-domain enumeration is introduced interms of system frame number (SFN, included in the MIB), frame timing isdetected from PSS/SSS to avoid the need for increasing the detectionburden from PBCH. In addition, cyclic prefix (CP) length and, ifunknown, duplexing scheme can be detected from PSS/SSS. The PSS isconstructed from a frequency-domain ZC sequence of length 63, with themiddle element truncated to avoid using the d.c. subcarrier.

Three roots are selected for PSS to represent the three physical layeridentities within each group of cells. The SSS sequences are based onthe maximum length sequences (also known as M-sequences). Each SSSsequence is constructed by interleaving two length-31 BPSK modulatedsequences in frequency domain, where the two source sequences beforemodulation are different cyclic shifts of the same M-sequence. Thecyclic shift indices are constructed from the physical cell ID group.

Since PSS/SSS detection can be faulty (due to, for instance,non-idealities in the auto- and cross-correlation properties of PSS/SSSand lack of CRC protection), cell ID hypotheses detected from PSS/SSSmay occasionally be confirmed via PBCH detection. PBCH is primarily usedto signal the master information block (MIB) which consists of DL and ULsystem bandwidth information (3 bits), PHICH information (3 bits), andSFN (8 bits). 10 reserved bits (for other uses such as MTC) are added,the MIB payload amounts to 24 bits. After appended with a 16-bit CRC, arate-1/3 tail-biting convolutional coding, 4× repetitions and QPSKmodulation are applied to the 40-bit codeword. The resulting QPSK symbolstream is transmitted across 4 subframes spread over 4 radio frames.Other than detecting MIB, blind detection of the number of CRS ports isalso needed for PBCH.

For NR licensed spectrum, each synchronization and PBCH signal block(SS/PBCH block) compromises of one symbol for NR-PSS, two symbols forNR-PBCH, one symbol for NR-SSS and NR-PBCH, where the four symbols aremapped consecutively and time division multiplexed. NR-SS is a unifieddesign, including the NR-PSS and NR-SSS sequence design, for allsupported carrier frequency rages in NR. The transmission bandwidth ofNR-PSS and NR-SSS (e.g. 12 RBs) is smaller than the transmissionbandwidth of the whole SS/PBCH block (e.g. 20 RBs).

For initial cell selection for NR cell, a UE assumes the default SSburst set periodicity as 20 ms, and for detecting non-standalone NRcell, network provides one SS burst set periodicity information perfrequency carrier to UE and information to derive measurementtiming/duration if possible. Other than the MIB, the remaining minimumsystem information (RMSI) is carried by PDSCH with scheduling infocarried by the corresponding PDCCH Similar structure applies to othersystem information (OSI) and Paging message. The control resource set(CORESET) for receiving common control channels, such as RMSI, OSI, RAR,etc., is required to be configured, and can be transmitted in PBCH.

In one embodiment, an SS/PBCH block operated in a non-standalone moderefers to the SS/PBCH block transmitted on a license-assisted-access(LAA) mode on a secondary cell (Scell), and an SS/PBCH block operated ina standalone mode refers to the SS/PBCH block transmitted on at least aprimary cell (Pcell).

In another embodiment, an SS/PBCH block operated in a non-standalonemode refers to that a UE does not expect to receive physical downlinkcontrol channel (PDCCH)/physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of atleast one of remaining minimum system information (RMSI) or other systeminformation (OSI), on the same frequency layer where the SS/PBCH blockis received, and an SS/PBCH block operated in a standalone mode refersto that a UE expects to receive PDCCH/PDSCH of both RMSI and OSI on thesame frequency layer where the SS/PBCH block is received.

In new radio (NR), multiple numerologies are supported, for SS/PBCHblock and data transmission separately, and also for different carrierfrequency ranges below 52.6 GHz. A summary of the supported numerologiesis given by TABLE 1.

TABLE 1 Numerologies Supported Subcarrier spacing Supported for forSS/PBCH (kHz) Cyclic prefix data block 15 Normal Yes Yes 30 Normal YesYes 60 Normal, Extended Yes No 120 Normal Yes Yes 240 Normal No Yes

FIG. 10 illustrates an example OFDM symbol 1000 according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. The embodiment of the OFDM symbol 1000illustrated in FIG. 10 is for illustration only. FIG. 10 does not limitthe scope of this disclosure to any particular implementation.

In NR, each synchronization signal (SS) and physical broadcast channel(PBCH) block compromise of four consecutive orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) symbols (e.g. FIG. 10) wherein the firstsymbol is mapped for primary synchronization signal (PSS), the secondand forth symbols are mapped for PBCH, and the third symbol is mappedfor both secondary synchronization signal (SSS) and PBCH. The sameSS/PBCH composition is applied to all supported carrier frequency rangesin NR, which spans from 0 GHz to 52.6 GHz. The transmission bandwidth ofPSS and SSS (e.g. 12 physical resource blocks (PRBs)) is smaller thanthe transmission bandwidth of the whole SS/PBCH block (e.g. 20 PRBs). Inevery PRB mapped for PBCH, 3 out of the 12 resource elements (REs) aremapped for the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of PBCH, wherein the3 REs are uniformly distributed in the PRB and the starting location ofthe first RE is based on cell ID.

NR supports one or two subcarrier spacing (SCS) for SS/PBCH block, for agiven band, wherein the same SCS is utilized for PSS, SSS, and PBCH(including DMRS). For carrier frequency range 0 GHz to 6 GHz, 15 kHzand/or 30 kHz can be utilized for the SS SCS. For carrier frequencyrange 6 GHz to 52.6 GHz, 120 kHz and/or 240 kHz can be utilized for SSSCS.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example SS/PBCH mapping pattern 1100 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the SS/PBCHmapping pattern 1100 illustrated in FIG. 11 is for illustration only.FIG. 11 does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In NR, SS/PBCH blocks are transmitted in a beam-sweeping way, andmultiple candidate location for transmitting SS/PBCH blocks arepredefined within a unit of a half frame. The mapping pattern of SS/PBCHblocks to 1 slot with respect to 15 kHz as the reference SCS for sub6GHz and with respect to 60 kHz as the reference SCS for above 6 GHz areillustrated in 1101 and 1102 as illustrated in FIG. 11, respectively.Two mapping patterns are designed for 30 kHz SS SCS: Pattern 1 isutilized for non-LTE-NR coexistence bands, and Pattern 2 is utilized forLTE-NR coexistence bands.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example a number of SS/PBCH blocks 1200 accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the numberof SS/PBCH blocks 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 is for illustration only.FIG. 12 does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

The maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks, denoted as L, is determined basedon carrier frequency range: for carrier frequency range 0 GHz to 3 GHz,L is 4; for carrier frequency range 3 GHz to 6 GHz, L is 8; for carrierfrequency range 6 GHz to 52.6 GHz, L is 64. The determination of theslots within the half frame unit which contains the candidate locationsof SS/PBCH blocks, with respect to each combination of SS SCS and L, isillustrated in FIG. 12.

In an initial cell selection, a UE assumes a default SS burst setperiodicity as 20 ms, and for detecting non-standalone NR cell, anetwork provides one SS burst set periodicity information per frequencycarrier to the UE and information to derive measurement timing/durationif possible.

In NR, the SCS of the control resource set (CORESET) of remainingminimum system information (RMSI) and the associated physical downlinkshared channel (PDSCH) conveying RMSI are indicated in masterinformation block (MIB) conveyed by PBCH in the SS/PBCH block, which canbe same as or different from SCS of SS. For carrier frequency range 0GHz to 6 GHz, the candidate SCSs for the CORESET of RMSI and the PDSCHconveying RMSI are 15 kHz and 30 kHz; for carrier frequency range 6 GHzto 52.6 GHz, the candidate SCSs for the CORESET of RMSI and the PDSCHconveying RMSI are 60 kHz and 120 kHz.

FIG. 13A illustrates an example a multiplexing pattern of SS/PBCH block1300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodimentof the multiplexing pattern of SS/PBCH block 1300 illustrated in FIG.13A is for illustration only. FIG. 13A does not limit the scope of thisdisclosure to any particular implementation.

FIG. 13B illustrates another example a multiplexing pattern of SS/PBCHblock 1320 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theembodiment of the multiplexing pattern of SS/PBCH block 1320 illustratedin FIG. 13B is for illustration only. FIG. 13B does not limit the scopeof this disclosure to any particular implementation.

FIG. 13C illustrates yet another example a multiplexing pattern ofSS/PBCH block 1340 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.The embodiment of the multiplexing pattern of SS/PBCH block 1340illustrated in FIG. 13C is for illustration only. FIG. 13C does notlimit the scope of this disclosure to any particular implementation.

A cell-defining SS/PBCH block is located on the synchronization raster.The CORESET of RMSI can have a RB-level offset comparing to theassociated cell-defining SS/PBCH block, wherein the PRB-level offset isjointly coded with multiplexing pattern, CORESET bandwidth (BW), and thenumber of OFDM symbols of the CORESET, and indicated by MIB. Moreover,the parameters for monitor window of common search space in the CORESETof RMSI are also jointly coded and indicated by MIB, wherein theparameters are configured separately for each multiplexing pattern. Anillustration of the three supported multiplexing patterns of SS/PBCHblock and CORESET and PDSCH of RMSI are illustrated in FIG. 13A, FIG.13B, and FIG. 13C, respectively.

The present disclosure focuses on supporting larger SCS for highercarrier frequency range in NR (e.g. above 52.6 GHz), and the relateddesign aspects may at least include the following: maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks; mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame;PRACH format with larger SCS; common subcarrier spacing indication inPBCH; SS/PBCH block index indication; subcarrier offset indication inPBCH; CORESET configuration indication in PBCH; and/or search spaceconfiguration indication in PBCH.

In NR, for carrier frequency range 0 GHz to 3 GHz, the maximum number ofSS/PBCH block within a burst set is 4, where the candidate SCS forSS/PBCH block can be 15 kHz, and can also be 30 kHz only for the NR-LTEcoexistence bands (e.g. n5 and n66); for carrier frequency range 3 GHzto 6 GHz, the maximum number of SS/PBCH block within a burst set is 8,where the candidate SCS for SS/PBCH block can be 15 kHz or 30 kHz; forcarrier frequency range 6 GHz to 52.6 GHz, the maximum number of SS/PBCHblock within a burst set is 64, where the candidate SCS for SS/PBCHblock can be 120 kHz or 240 kHz.

In one embodiment, for NR HFR, the choice of SCS for SS/PBCH block canbe determined by guaranteeing the performance against carrier frequencyoffset (CFO) (e.g. maximum 5 ppm) in an initial cell search, and themaximum number of SS/PBCH block within a burst set can be determined bymaintaining similar time-domain overhead ratio within a half frame asthe ones already supported in other NR carrier frequency ranges, for thedetermined SCS for SS/PBCH block. One example of this embodiment isillustrated in TABLE 2, where the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks isdetermined as 128 and the maximum SCS for SS/PBCH block is determined as480 kHz, and/or the maximum number of SS/PBCH block is determined as 256and the maximum SCS of SS/PBCH block is determined as 960 kHz.

In one sub-embodiment, dual SCSs for SS/PBCH block can be supported fora given HFR band, and the UE may need to blindly detect the SCS ininitial cell search, wherein the dual SCSs can be 240 kHz and 480 kHz.

In another sub-embodiment, dual SCSs for SS/PBCH block can be supportedfor a given HFR band, and the UE may need to blindly detect the SCS ininitial cell search, wherein the dual SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz.

In yet another sub-embodiment, single SCS for SS/PBCH block can besupported for a given HFR band, wherein the single SCS can be either 240kHz or 480 kHz.

In yet another sub-embodiment, single SCS for SS/PBCH block can besupported for a given HFR band, wherein the single SCS can be either 480kHz or 960 kHz.

TABLE 2 Carrier frequency range Carrier Maximum # Time- Frequency ofSS/PBCH Max SCS for domain Range Blocks SS/PBCH Max CFO Ratio* 0-3 GHz 4  15 kHz**  15 kHz 22.8% 3-6 GHz 8  30 kHz  30 kHz 22.8% 6-52.6 GHz 64240 kHz 263 kHz 22.8% 52.6-100 GHz 128 480 kHz 500 kHz 22.8% 256 960 kHz500 kHz 22.8% *Time-domain ratio is defined as the duration oftransmitting all SS/PBCH blocks within a burst set divided by a halfframe **30 kHz for 0-3 GHz is only applied to coexistence bands, andSS/PBCH block exceeds min carrier bandwidth of 5 MHz

In another embodiment, for NR HFR, the choice of SCS for SS/PBCH blockcan be determined by guaranteeing the performance against carrierfrequency offset (CFO) (e.g. maximum 5 ppm) in an initial cell search,but the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks maintains the same as carrierfrequency range 6-52.6 GHz (i.e., NR FR2). For example, the maximumnumber of SS/PBCH blocks is determined as 64 and the maximum SCS forSS/PBCH block can be 480 kHz or 960 kHz.

In one sub-embodiment, dual SCSs for SS/PBCH block can be supported fora given HFR band, and the UE may need to blindly detect the SCS ininitial cell search, wherein the dual SCSs can be 240 kHz and 480 kHz.

In another sub-embodiment, dual SCSs for SS/PBCH block can be supportedfor a given HFR band, and the UE may need to blindly detect the SCS ininitial cell search, wherein the dual SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz.

In yet another sub-embodiment, single SCS for SS/PBCH block can besupported for a given HFR band, wherein the single SCS can be either 240kHz or 480 kHz.

In yet another sub-embodiment, single SCS for SS/PBCH block can besupported for a given HFR band, wherein the single SCS can be either 480kHz or 960 kHz.

In yet another embodiment, for NR HFR, the choice of SCS for SS/PBCHblock can be determined by guaranteeing the performance against carrierfrequency offset (CFO) (e.g. maximum 5 ppm) in an initial cell search,but the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is higher than NR FR2. Forexample, the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is determined as 128 andthe maximum SCS for SS/PBCH block can be 480 kHz or 960 kHz.

In one sub-embodiment, dual SCSs for SS/PBCH block can be supported fora given HFR band, and the UE may need to blindly detect the SCS ininitial cell search, wherein the dual SCSs can be 240 kHz and 480 kHz.

In another sub-embodiment, dual SCSs for SS/PBCH block can be supportedfor a given HFR band, and the UE may need to blindly detect the SCS inan initial cell search, wherein the dual SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960kHz.

In yet another sub-embodiment, single SCS for SS/PBCH block can besupported for a given HFR band, wherein the single SCS can be either 240kHz or 480 kHz.

In yet another sub-embodiment, single SCS for SS/PBCH block can besupported for a given HFR band, wherein the single SCS can be either 480kHz or 960 kHz.

In one embodiment, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128, theindication of actual transmitted SS/PBCH blocks in RMSI, e.g. higherlayer parameter SSB-transmitted-SIB1, can be still a 2-level bitmap.

In one example, the 2-level bitmap is with 8 group bitmap and 16 bitmapwithin each group, such that the size of RRC parameterSSB-transmitted-SIB1 is 24 bits.

In another example, the 2-level bitmap is with 16 group bitmap and 8bitmap within each group, such that the size of RRC parameterSSB-transmitted-SIB1 is 24 bits.

In another embodiment, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128,the indication of actual transmitted SS/PBCH blocks in RMSI, e.g., ahigher layer parameter SSB-transmitted-SIB1, can be still with 16 bits(e.g. same as NR FR2), but interpreted as other meaning.

In one example, the 16 bits indicate the starting and ending position ofthe window wherein actually transmitted SS/PBCH blocks are within thewindow, and 8 bits of the 16 bits are used for the starting position,and the remaining 8 bits are used for the ending position.

In another example, the 16 bits indicate the starting position andduration of the window wherein actually transmitted SS/PBCH blocks arewithin the window, and 8 bits of the 16 bits are used for the startingposition, and the remaining 8 bits are used for the duration.

In one embodiment, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128, theindication of actual transmitted SS/PBCH blocks in RRC, e.g., a higherlayer parameter SSB-transmitted, can be a 128-bit full bitmap.

The mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks can be designed with respect to areference SCS (e.g., the reference SCS can be utilized for datatransmission) such that the symbols mapped for control channels (e.g.PDCCH and/or PUCCH) and/or gap can be reserved (e.g., not mapped forSS/PBCH blocks) with respect to the reference SCS.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example mapping design 1400 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 1400 illustrated in FIG. 14 is for illustration only. FIG. 14does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In one embodiment, if using 60 kHz as the reference SCS to design themapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, the first two symbols (e.g. #0 and#1) as well the last two symbols (e.g., #12 and #13) with respect to thereference SCS of 60 kHz can be reserved.

An example of this mapping design is illustrated in FIG. 14, and mappingpatterns are determined by: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 240 kHz, thefirst symbols of the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {8, 12, 16,20, 32, 36, 40, 44} within every design unit of 56 symbols (e.g. 4 slotswith total duration of 0.25 ms); for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz,the first symbols of the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {16, 20,24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92} within everydesign unit of 112 symbols (e.g. 8 slots with total duration of 0.25ms); and for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz, the first symbols ofthe candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56,60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144, 148, 152,156, 160, 164, 168, 172, 176, 180, 184, 188} within every design unit of224 symbols (e.g. 16 slots with total duration of 0.25 ms).

FIG. 15 illustrates another example mapping design 1500 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 1500 illustrated in FIG. 15 is for illustration only. FIG. 15does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.25 ms as a slot of 60 kHz SCS as thereference SCS, into the half frame can be determined as in FIG. 15 (L ismaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks in the figure), wherein the indexes ofthe design unit that contains the mapping pattern given by FIG. 14 aregiven by: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 240 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 64, the indexes of design units of 0.25 ms a with ahalf frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8}; for SCS of SS/PBCHblock being 240 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 128, theindexes of design units of 0.25 ms with a half frame are given by {0, 1,2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18}; for SCS of SS/PBCHblock being 480 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 64, theindexes of design units of 0.25 ms with a half frame are given by {0, 1,2, 3}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 128, the indexes of design units of 0.25 ms with ahalf frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8}; for SCS of SS/PBCHblock being 960 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 64, theindexes of design units of 0.25 ms with a half frame are given by {0,1}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks being 128, the indexes of design units of 0.25 ms with a halfframe are given by {0, 1, 2, 3}; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH block being960 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 256, the indexes ofdesign units of 0.25 ms with a half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 5,6, 7, 8}.

In some embodiments, the following mapping patterns for SS/PBCH blockscan be obtained (symbol index 0 is the symbol 0 of the first slot of thehalf frame).

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 240 kHz and 480 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128 within a burst set, thefirst symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half framecan have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 240 kHz, {8, 12, 16,20, 32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12,13, 15, 16, 17, 18; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {16,20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88,92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8.

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128 within a burst set, thefirst symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half framecan have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {16, 20, 24,28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88,92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH blocksbeing 960 kHz, {32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84,88, 92, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144, 148, 152, 156, 160, 164, 168, 172, 176,180, 184, 188}+224*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be either 240 kHz or480 kHz or 960 kHz, and the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128within a burst set, the first symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCHblocks within a half frame can have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocksbeing 240 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over( )}240 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6,7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18; for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being480 kHz, {16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88,92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH blocksbeing 960 kHz, {32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84,88, 92, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144, 148, 152, 156, 160, 164, 168, 172, 176,180, 184, 188}+224*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be 960 kHz, and themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 256 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 256 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {32, 36, 40, 44, 48,52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144,148, 152, 156, 160, 164, 168, 172, 176, 180, 184,188}+224*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflexover ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8.

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 240 kHz and 480 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 240 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32,36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8; and/or forSCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44,64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz,where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3.

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {16, 20, 24, 28, 32,36, 40, 44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3; and/orfor SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56,60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144, 148, 152,156, 160, 164, 168, 172, 176, 180, 184, 188}+224*N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be either 240 kHz or480 kHz or 960 kHz, and the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64within a burst set, the first symbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blockswithin a half frame can have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being240 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over( )}240 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6,7, 8; for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36,40, 44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3; and/orfor SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56,60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144, 148, 152,156, 160, 164, 168, 172, 176, 180, 184, 188}+224*N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1.

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another example mapping design 1600 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 1600 illustrated in FIG. 16 is for illustration only. FIG. 16does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In another embodiment, if using 120 kHz as the reference SCS to designthe mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, the first two symbols (e.g. #0and #1) as well the last two symbols (e.g. #12 and #13) with respect tothe reference SCS of 120 kHz can be reserved. An example of this mappingdesign is illustrated in FIG. 16, and mapping patterns are determinedby: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 240 kHz, the first symbols of thecandidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {4, 8, 16, 20} within every designunit of 28 symbols (e.g. 2 slots with total duration of 0.125 ms); forSCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz, the first symbols of the candidateSS/PBCH blocks have indexes {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40, 44} within everydesign unit of 56 symbols (e.g. 4 slots with total duration of 0.125ms); and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz, the first symbols ofthe candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40,44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92} within every design unit of 112symbols (e.g. 8 slots with total duration of 0.125 ms).

FIG. 17 illustrates yet another example mapping design 1700 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 1700 illustrated in FIG. 17 is for illustration only. FIG. 17does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.125 ms as a slot of 120 kHz SCS as thereference SCS, into the half frame can be determined as in FIG. 17 (L ismaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks in the figure), wherein the indexes ofthe design unit that contains the mapping pattern given by FIG. 16 aregiven by: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 240 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 64, the indexes of design units of 0.125 ms with ahalf frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 240 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 128, the indexes of design units of 0.125 ms with ahalf frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37};for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks being 64, the indexes of design units of 0.125 ms with a halfframe are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}; for SCS of SS/PBCH blockbeing 480 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 128, theindexes of design units of 0.125 ms with a half frame are given by {0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17}; for SCS of SS/PBCHblock being 960 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 64, theindexes of design units of 0.125 ms with a half frame are given by {0,1, 2, 3}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 128, the indexes of design units of 0.125 ms with ahalf frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}; and/or for SCS ofSS/PBCH block being 960 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being256, the indexes of design units of 0.125 ms with a half frame are givenby {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17}.

In some embodiment, the following mapping patterns for SS/PBCH blockscan be obtained (symbol index 0 is the symbol 0 of the first slot of thehalf frame).

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 240 kHz and 480 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128 within a burst set, thefirst symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half framecan have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 240 kHz, {4, 8, 16,20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37; and/or forSCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40,44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128 within a burst set, thefirst symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half framecan have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {8, 12, 16,20, 32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {16,20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88,92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be either 240 kHz or480 kHz or 960 kHz, and the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128within a burst set, the first symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCHblocks within a half frame can have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocksbeing 240 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz,where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35, 36, 37; for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20,32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {16,20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88,92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be 960 kHz, and themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 256 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 256 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {16, 20, 24, 28, 32,36, 40, 44, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 240 kHz and 480 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 240 kHz, {4, 8, 16,20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17;and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36,40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflexover ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32,36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; and/or forSCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44,64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz,where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be either 240 kHz or480 kHz or 960 kHz, and the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64within a burst set, the first symbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blockswithin a half frame can have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being240 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17; for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {8, 12, 16,20, 32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; and/or forSCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44,64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92}+112*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz,where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3.

FIG. 18 illustrates yet another example mapping design 1800 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 1800 illustrated in FIG. 18 is for illustration only. FIG. 18does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In yet another embodiment, if using 240 kHz as the reference SCS todesign the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, the first two symbols(e.g., #0 and #1) as well the last two symbols (e.g., #12 and #13) withrespect to the reference SCS of 240 kHz can be reserved. An example ofthis mapping design is illustrated in FIG. 18, and mapping patterns aredetermined by: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 240 kHz, the first symbolsof the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {2, 8} within every designunit of 14 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.0625 ms); forSCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz, the first symbols of the candidateSS/PBCH blocks have indexes {4, 8, 16, 20} within every design unit of28 symbols (e.g. 2 slots with total duration of 0.0625 ms); and/or forSCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz, the first symbols of the candidateSS/PBCH blocks have indexes {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40, 44} within everydesign unit of 56 symbols (e.g. 4 slots with total duration of 0.0625ms).

FIG. 19 illustrates yet another example mapping design 1900 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 1900 illustrated in FIG. 19 is for illustration only. FIG. 19does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.0625 ms as a slot of 240 kHz SCS asthe reference SCS, into the half frame can be determined as illustratedin FIG. 19 (L is maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks in the figure),wherein the indexes of the design unit that contains the mapping patterngiven by FIG. 19 are given by: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 240 kHzand maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 64, the indexes of designunits of 0.0625 ms with a half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 240 kHz andmaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 128, the indexes of design unitsof 0.0625 ms with a half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,53, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74,75}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 64, the indexes of design units of 0.0625 ms with ahalf frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 128, the indexes of design units of 0.0625 ms witha half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35};for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks being 64, the indexes of design units of 0.0625 ms with a halfframe are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}; for SCS of SS/PBCH blockbeing 960 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 128, theindexes of design units of 0.0625 ms with a half frame are given by {0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}; and/or for SCS ofSS/PBCH block being 960 kHz and maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being256, the indexes of design units of 0.0625 ms with a half frame aregiven by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35}.

In some embodiments, the following mapping patterns for SS/PBCH blockscan be obtained (symbol index 0 is the symbol 0 of the first slot of thehalf frame).

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 240 kHz and 480 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128 within a burst set, thefirst symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half framecan have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 240 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42,43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64,65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCHblocks being 480 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31, 32, 33, 34, 35.

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128 within a burst set, thefirst symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half framecan have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {4, 8, 16,20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35; and/or forSCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40,44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

In one embodiment, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be either 240 kHz or480 kHz or 960 kHz, and the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128within a burst set, the first symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCHblocks within a half frame can have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocksbeing 240 kHz, {2, 8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55,60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75; for SCSof SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflexover ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH blocksbeing 960 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be 960 kHz, and themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 256 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 256 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32,36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, whereN_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35.

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 240 kHz and 480 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 240 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35; and/or forSCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflexover ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

For NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supported for a given HFRband, wherein the SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz, and the maximumnumber of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burst set, the first symbols ofthe 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can have indexes:for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {4, 8, 16,20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15; and/orfor SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40,44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

For NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks is supported for a givenHFR band, wherein the SCS can be either 240 kHz or 480 kHz or 960 kHz,and the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burst set, thefirst symbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame canhave indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 240 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}240 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}240 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35; for SCS ofSS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH blocksbeing 960 kHz, {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7.

FIG. 20 illustrates yet another example mapping design 2000 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 2000 illustrated in FIG. 20 is for illustration only. FIG. 20does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In yet another embodiment, if using 480 kHz as the reference SCS todesign the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, the first two symbols(e.g. #0 and #1) as well the last two symbols (e.g. #12 and #13) withrespect to the reference SCS of 480 kHz can be reserved. An example ofthis mapping design is illustrated in FIG. 20, and mapping patterns aredetermined by: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz, the first symbolsof the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {2, 8} within every designunit of 14 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.03125 ms);and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz, the first symbols of thecandidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {4, 8, 16, 20} within every designunit of 28 symbols (e.g. 2 slots with total duration of 0.03125 ms).

FIG. 21 illustrates yet another example mapping design 2100 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 2100 illustrated in FIG. 21 is for illustration only. FIG. 21does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.03125 ms as a slot of 480 kHz SCS asthe reference SCS, into the half frame can be determined as illustratedin FIG. 21 (L is maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks in the figure),wherein the indexes of the design unit that contains the mapping patterngiven by FIG. 20 are given by: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHzand maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 64, the indexes of designunits of 0.03125 ms with a half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 480 kHz andmaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 128, the indexes of design unitsof 0.03125 ms with a half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70,71}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 64, the indexes of design units of 0.03125 ms witha half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 128, the indexes of design units of 0.03125 ms witha half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31};and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 256, the indexes of design units of 0.03125 ms witha half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57,58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71}.

In some embodiments, the following mapping patterns for SS/PBCH blockscan be obtained (symbol index 0 is the symbol 0 of the first slot of thehalf frame).

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128 within a burst set, thefirst symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half framecan have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 40, 41, 42,43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60,61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCHblocks being 960 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 31.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be either 480 kHz or960 kHz, and the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128 within a burstset, the first symbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a halfframe can have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 40, 41, 42,43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60,61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCHblocks being 960 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 31.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be 960 kHz, and themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 256 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 256 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {4, 8, 16,20}+28*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 40, 41, 42,43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60,61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71.

In one example, for NR HFR, if dual SCSs of SS/PBCH blocks are supportedfor a given HFR band, wherein the SCSs can be 480 kHz and 960 kHz, andthe maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31; and/or forSCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflexover ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

In on example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be either 480 kHz or960 kHz, and the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burstset, the first symbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a halfframe can have indexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 480 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}480 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}480 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31; and/or forSCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {4, 8, 16, 20}+28*N_unit{circumflexover ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

FIG. 22 illustrates yet another example mapping design 2200 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 2200 illustrated in FIG. 22 is for illustration only. FIG. 22does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In yet another embodiment, if using 960 kHz as the reference SCS todesign the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, the first two symbols(e.g. #0 and #1) as well the last two symbols (e.g. #12 and #13) withrespect to the reference SCS of 960 kHz can be reserved. An example ofthis mapping design is illustrated in FIG. 22, and mapping patterns aredetermined by: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz, the first symbolsof the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {2, 8} within every designunit of 14 symbols (e.g., 1 slot with total duration of 0.015625 ms).

FIG. 23 illustrates yet another example mapping design 2300 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 2300 illustrated in FIG. 23 is for illustration only. FIG. 23does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.015625 ms as a slot of 960 kHz SCS asthe reference SCS, into the half frame can be determined as illustratedin FIG. 23 (L is maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks in the figure),wherein the indexes of the design unit that contains the mapping patterngiven by FIG. 22 are given by: for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHzand maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 64, the indexes of designunits of 0.03125 ms with a half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31}; for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz andmaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 128, the indexes of design unitsof 0.03125 ms with a half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44,45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62,63}; and/or for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 960 kHz and maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks being 256, the indexes of design units of 0.03125 ms witha half frame are given by {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49,50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 80, 81, 82, 83,84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100,101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114,115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128,129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142,143}.

In some embodiments, mapping patterns for SS/PBCH blocks can be obtained(symbol index 0 is the symbol 0 of the first slot of the half frame).

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be 960 kHz, and themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 64 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 64 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be 960 kHz, and themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 128 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 128 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63.

In one example, for NR HFR, if a single SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given HFR band, wherein the SCS can be 960 kHz, and themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 256 within a burst set, the firstsymbols of the 256 candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can haveindexes: for SCS of SS/PBCH blocks being 960 kHz, {2,8}+14*N_unit{circumflex over ( )}960 kHz, where N_unit{circumflex over( )}960 kHz=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86,87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103,104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117,118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131,132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143.

In NR, a physical random access channel (PRACH) formats with SCS up to120 kHz were supported for short generation sequence with length 139.

In one embodiment, for NR HFR, PRACH formats with SCS as 240 kHz and/or480 kHz and/or 960 kHz can be supported by using the same generationsequence with length 139, the same number of symbols, and the same CPlength. For example, PRACH formats including at least one of A1, A2, A3,B1, B2, B3, B4, C0, and C2 can be supported using the same generationsequence with length 139, same number of symbols, and same CP length.

In NR, a one-bit field in MIB, i.e., subCarrierSpacingCommon, isutilized to indicate the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACHprocedure for an initial access, and broadcast SI-messages. For sub-6GHz, the subcarrier spacing can be either 15 kHz or 30 kHz, and for over6 GHz, the subcarrier spacing can be either 60 kHz or 120 kHz.

In one embodiment, for NR HFR, the same one-bit field can be utilized toindicate the common value for the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4of RACH procedure for an initial access, and broadcast SI-messages, butwith different indicated values. For example, the one-bit field can beutilized to indicate one from {SCS_min, SCS_max}, whereSCS_max=2*SCS_min. Note that the choice of SCS_min can be related orindependent of the SCS for SS/PBCH blocks (i.e., SCS_min can be the sameor not equal to the minimum of all supported SCS for SS/PBCH blocks inNR HFR): in one example, SCS_min=480 kHz; in another example,SCS_min=240 kHz; and in yet another example, SCS_min=120 kHz.

In another embodiment, for NR HFR, the one-bit fieldsubCarrierSpacingCommon can be combined with other reserved bit or savedbit from other field's indication to indicate the common value for thesubcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACH procedure for an initialaccess, and broadcast SI-messages, such that the one-bit field canindicate more than 2 values. For example, the one-bit field can becombined with another reserved/saved bit to indicate one of 3 or 4 SCSvalues.

Note that the choice of SCS_min can be related or independent of the SCSfor SS/PBCH blocks. For example, the set of SCS values to be indicatedcan be {60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz, 480 kHz}. For another example, the setof SCS values to be indicated can be {120 kHz, 240 kHz, 480 kHz, 960kHz}.

In yet another embodiment, for NR HFR, the common subcarrier spacing forRMSI, Msg 2/4 of the random access procedure for an initial access, andbroadcast SI-messages can be fixed and the one-bit fieldsubCarrierSpacingCommon can be reserved or utilized for otherindication. For example, the common subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4of RACH procedure for initial access, and broadcast SI-messages can bethe same as the subcarrier spacing of SS/PBCH block.

In NR, the SS/PBCH block index is carried by the DMRS sequence of PBCHand potentially the PBCH content. For L=64, the 3 MSBs of SS/PBCH blockindex are indicated by the PBCH content, and the 3 LSBs of SS/PBCH blockindex are carried by the DMRS sequence of PBCH; for L=8, the 3 bits ofSS/PBCH block index are carried by the DMRS sequence of PBCH; for L=4,the 2 bits of SS/PBCH block index are carried by the DMRS sequence ofPBCH.

In one embodiment, for NR HFR, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocksis 64, the same mechanism can be utilized for carrying the SS/PBCH blockindex. For example, the 3 MSBs of SS/PBCH block index are indicated bythe PBCH content, and the 3 LSBs of SS/PBCH block index are carried bythe DMRS sequence of PBCH.

In another embodiment, for NR HFR, if the maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks is 128, the SS/PBCH block index can still be carried in a hybridway.

In one example, the 3 MSBs of SS/PBCH block index are indicated by thePBCH content (keep the same PBCH content as in NR), and the 4 LSBs ofSS/PBCH block index are carried by the DMRS sequence of PBCH.

In another example, the 4 MSBs of SS/PBCH block index are indicated bythe PBCH content (can use one reserved bit or use another bit saved fromother field, e.g. 1 bit can be saved from search space configurationindication), and the 3 LSBs of SS/PBCH block index are carried by theDMRS sequence of PBCH (keep the same sequence design of DMRS of PBCH).

In yet another example, the 3 MSBs (or the 4th, 5th, and 6th LSB) ofSS/PBCH block index are indicated by the PBCH content (keep the samePBCH content as in NR), and the 3 LSBs of SS/PBCH block index arecarried by the DMRS sequence of PBCH (keep the same sequence design ofDMRS of PBCH), and the remaining one bit (the 4th LSB or the 1st MSB)can be carried in another way.

For example, the remaining one bit can be carried by the sequencefrequency-domain mapping order of DMRS of PBCH (e.g. either mapping fromlowest RE to highest RE or mapping from highest RE to lowest RE). Foranother example, the remaining one bit can be carried by the sequencefrequency-domain and time-domain mapping order of DMRS of PBCH (e.g.either frequency-first-and-time-second mapping order ortime-first-and-frequency-second mapping order). For yet another example,the remaining one bit can be carried by the CRC mask code of PBCH. Foryet another example, the remaining one bit can be carried by changingthe RE locations mapped for PBCH in different symbols (e.g., either noshift or a constant shift for different symbols mapped for PBCH).

In another embodiment, for NR HFR, if the maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks is 256, the SS/PBCH block index can still be carried in a hybridway.

In one example, the 3 MSBs of SS/PBCH block index are indicated by thePBCH content (keep the same PBCH content as in NR), and the 5 LSBs ofSS/PBCH block index are carried by the DMRS sequence of PBCH.

In another example, the 5 MSBs of SS/PBCH block index are indicated bythe PBCH content (can use one reserved bit or use another bit saved fromother field, e.g., 1 bit can be saved from search space configurationindication), and the 3 LSBs of SS/PBCH block index are carried by theDMRS sequence of PBCH (keep the same sequence design of DMRS of PBCH).

In yet another example, the 3 MSBs (or the 4th, 5th, and 6th LSB) ofSS/PBCH block index are indicated by the PBCH content (keep the samePBCH content as in NR), and the 3 LSBs of SS/PBCH block index arecarried by the DMRS sequence of PBCH (keep the same sequence design ofDMRS of PBCH), and the remaining two bits can be carried in another way(can be combined from the following examples).

For example, at least one of the remaining bits can be carried by thesequence frequency-domain mapping order of DMRS of PBCH (e.g. eithermapping from lowest RE to highest RE or mapping from highest RE tolowest RE).

For another example, at least one of the remaining bits can be carriedby the sequence frequency-domain and time-domain mapping order of DMRSof PBCH (e.g., either frequency-first-and-time-second mapping order ortime-first-and-frequency-second mapping order).

For yet another example, at least one of the remaining bits can becarried by the CRC mask code of PBCH.

For yet another example, at least one of the remaining bits can becarried by changing the RE locations mapped for PBCH in differentsymbols (e.g. either no shift or a constant shift for different symbolsmapped for PBCH).

In NR, one 4-bit field in MIB, i.e., ssb-SubcarrierOffset, is utilizedto indicate the subcarrier offset between the RB grids of SS/PBCH blockand RMSI CORESET for over 6 GHz, and this field together with anotherbit generated in the physical layer are utilized to indicate thesubcarrier offset between the RB grids of SS/PBCH block and RMSI CORESETfor sub 6 GHz.

In one embodiment, for NR HFR, if the candidate SCS for the common valuefor the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACH procedure forinitial access, and broadcast SI-messages is only one, at most 12 valueson the subcarrier offset are required to indicate and 4 bits aresufficient to indicate. For example, the field ssb-SubcarrierOffset inMIB can still be utilized to indicate the subcarrier offset.

In another embodiment, for NR HFR, if the candidate SCS for the commonvalues for the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACH procedurefor initial access, and broadcast SI-messages are two, which isindicated by 1 separate bit in MIB, at most 24 values on the subcarrieroffset are required to indicate and 5 bits are sufficient to indicate.For example, the field ssb-SubcarrierOffset in MIB, together withanother reserved or saved bit can be utilized to indicate the subcarrieroffset.

In another embodiment, for NR HFR, if the candidate SCS for the commonvalues for the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACH procedurefor initial access, and broadcast SI-messages are three or four, whichis indicated by 2 separate bits, at most 36 or 48 values on thesubcarrier offset are required to indicate and 6 bits are sufficient toindicate. For example, the field ssb-SubcarrierOffset in MIB, togetherwith another 2 reserved or saved bits can be utilized to indicate thesubcarrier offset.

In NR, 4 bits of the field in MIB, i.e., pdcch-ConfigSIB1, is utilizedto indicate the CORESET configuration of RMSI, where the configurationsof the multiplexing pattern, CORESET BW, number of symbols for CORESET,and RB-level offset between SS/PBCH block and CORESET are jointly codedusing the 4 bits. The configuration table is determined per thecombination of subcarrier spacing of SS/PBCH block and PDCCH in CORESET.

In general, for multiplexing pattern 1 of the SS/PBCH block and CORESET,the required number of configurations, #RB_offset, can be determined asfollow:#RB_offset=[SS_Raster/((Carrier_BW−CORESET_BW+1)*RMSI_SCS/SS_SCS)],where SS_Raster is the synchronization raster in term of RB in SS/PBCHsubcarrier spacing, Carrier_BW is the bandwidth of the carrier in termof RB in RMSI subcarrier spacing, CORESET_BW is the bandwidth of theRMSI CORESET in term of RB in RMSI subcarrier spacing, RMSI_SCS is thesubcarrier spacing of RMSI, SS_SCS is the subcarrier spacing of SS/PBCHblock. The choices of the #RB_offset offset values can be determined assymmetric with respect to the configuration where SS/PBCH block and RMSICORESET are center-aligned.

In general, for multiplexing pattern 2 and 3 of the SS/PBCH block andCORESET, the required number of configurations, #RB_offset, can be 2,wherein the two configurations are: {CORESET_BW, −20*SS_SCS/RMSI_SCS} ifthe subcarrier offset k_SSB=0 and SS_SCS=RMSI_SCS; {CORESET_BW,−20*SS_SCS/RMSI_SCS−1} if the subcarrier offset k_SSB≠0 andSS_SCS=RMSI_SCS; {CORESET_BW+1, −20*SS_SCS/RMSI_SCS−1} if the subcarrieroffset k_SSB=0 and SS_SCS≠RMSI_SCS; and/or {CORESET_BW+1,−20*SS_SCS/RMSI_SCS−2} if the subcarrier offset k_SSB=0 andSS_SCS≠RMSI_SCS.

In one embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {240 kHz,240 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 12 RBs in SS_SCS (e.g. theminimum carrier BW is 100 MHz), TABLE 3 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 3 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 4 2 1 24 3 0 31 24 3 4 4 1 48 1 14 5 1 48 2 14 6 1 48 3 14 7 1 96 1 38 8 1 96 2 38 9 196 3 38 10 3 24 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 11 3 24 2 24 123 48 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 13 3 48 2 48 14 3 96 2 −20if condition A, −21 if condition B 15 3 96 2 96

In another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {240kHz, 240 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 42 or 36 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g. the minimum carrier BW is 200 MHz), TABLE 4 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 4 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 2 1 1 24 3 2 2 1 48 1 0 31 48 1 14 4 1 48 1 28 5 1 48 2 0 6 1 48 2 14 7 1 48 2 28 8 1 96 1 0 9 196 1 76 10 3 24 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 11 3 24 2 24 123 48 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 13 3 48 2 48 14 3 96 2 −20if condition A, −21 if condition B 15 3 96 2 96

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{240 kHz, 240 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 108 RBs or 96 PRBs inSS_SCS (e.g. the minimum carrier BW is 400 MHz), TABLE 5 (or a subset ofthe configurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 5 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 2 1 1 24 3 2 2 1 48 1 0 31 48 1 28 4 1 48 2 0 5 1 48 2 28 6 1 96 1 0 7 1 96 1 38 8 1 96 1 76 9 324 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 10 3 24 2 24 11 3 48 2 −20if condition A, −21 if condition B 12 3 48 2 48 13 3 96 2 −20 ifcondition A, −21 if condition B 14 3 96 2 96 15 Reserved

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{240 kHz, 480 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 12 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 100 MHz), TABLE 6 or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 6 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 7 1 1 24 3 7 2 1 48 1 193 1 48 2 19 4 1 48 3 19 5 1 96 1 43 6 1 96 2 43 7 1 96 3 43 8 2 24 1 −11if condition A, −12 if condition B 9 2 24 1 25 10 2 48 1 −11 ifcondition A, −12 if condition B 11 2 48 1 49 12 2 96 1 −11 if conditionA, −12 if condition B 13 2 96 1 97 14 Reserved 15 Reserved

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{240 kHz, 480 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 42 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 200 MHz), TABLE 7 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 7 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 7 2 1 24 2 143 1 48 1 0 4 1 48 1 38 5 1 48 2 0 6 1 48 2 38 7 1 96 1 43 8 1 96 2 43 92 24 1 −11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 10 2 24 1 25 11 2 48 1 −11if condition A, −12 if condition B 12 2 48 1 49 13 2 96 1 −11 ifcondition A, −12 if condition B 14 2 96 1 97 15 Reserved

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{240 kHz, 480 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 108 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g. the minimum carrier BW is 400 MHz), TABLE 8 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 8 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 14 2 1 48 2 03 1 48 2 19 4 1 48 2 38 5 1 48 3 0 6 1 48 3 19 7 1 48 3 38 8 1 96 1 0 91 96 1 86 10 2 24 1 −11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 11 2 24 1 2512 2 48 1 −11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 13 2 48 1 49 14 2 96 1−11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 15 2 96 1 97

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{480 kHz, 240 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 12 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 100 MHz or 200 MHz), TABLE 9 (or asubset of the configurations in the table) can be utilized to indicatethe CORESET configuration, where condition A and condition B refer tok_SSB=0 and k_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 9 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 48 1 0 1 1 48 1 8 2 1 48 2 0 31 48 2 8 4 1 48 3 0 5 1 48 3 8 6 1 96 1 28 7 1 96 2 28 8 1 96 3 28 9 224 1 −41 if condition A, −42 if condition B 10 2 24 1 25 11 2 48 1 −41if condition A, −42 if condition B 12 2 48 1 49 13 2 96 1 −41 ifcondition A, −42 if condition B 14 2 96 1 97 15 Reserved

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{480 kHz, 240 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 42 RBs or 36 RBs inSS_SCS (e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 400 MHz), TABLE 10 (or a subsetof the configurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate theCORESET configuration, where condition A and condition B refer tok_SSB=0 and k_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 10 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 48 2 0 1 1 48 2 2 2 1 48 2 4 31 48 2 6 4 1 48 2 8 5 1 96 1 0 6 1 96 1 28 7 1 96 1 56 8 1 96 2 0 9 1 962 28 10 1 96 2 56 11 2 48 1 −41 if condition A, −42 if condition B 12 248 1 49 13 2 96 1 −41 if condition A, −42 if condition B 14 2 96 1 97 15Reserved

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{480 kHz, 480 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 12 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 100 MHz or 200 MHz), TABLE 11 (or asubset of the configurations in the table) can be utilized to indicatethe CORESET configuration, where condition A and condition B refer tok_SSB=0 and k_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 11 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 4 2 1 24 3 0 31 24 3 4 4 1 48 1 14 5 1 48 2 14 6 1 48 3 14 7 1 96 1 38 8 1 96 2 38 9 196 3 38 10 3 24 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 11 3 24 2 24 123 48 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 13 3 48 2 48 14 3 96 2 −20if condition A, −21 if condition B 15 3 96 2 96

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{480 kHz, 480 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 42 RBs or 36 RBs inSS_SCS (e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 400 MHz), TABLE 12 (or a subsetof the configurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate theCORESET configuration, where condition A and condition B refer tok_SSB=0 and k_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 12 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 2 1 1 24 3 2 2 1 48 1 0 31 48 1 14 4 1 48 1 28 5 1 48 2 0 6 1 48 2 14 7 1 48 2 28 8 1 96 1 0 9 196 1 76 10 3 24 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 11 3 24 2 24 123 48 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 13 3 48 2 48 14 3 96 2 −20if condition A, −21 if condition B 15 3 96 2 96

In one embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {960 kHz,960 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 12 RBs in SS_SCS (e.g., theminimum carrier BW is 400 MHz), TABLE 13 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 13 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 4 2 1 24 3 0 31 24 3 4 4 1 48 1 14 5 1 48 2 14 6 1 48 3 14 7 1 96 1 38 8 1 96 2 38 9 196 3 38 10 3 24 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 11 3 24 2 24 123 48 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 13 3 48 2 48 14 3 96 2 −20if condition A, −21 if condition B 15 3 96 2 96

In one embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {960 kHz,960 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 42 RBs or 36 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 800 MHz), TABLE 14 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 14 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 2 1 1 24 3 2 2 1 48 1 0 31 48 1 14 4 1 48 1 28 5 1 48 2 0 6 1 48 2 14 7 1 48 2 28 8 1 96 1 0 9 196 1 76 10 3 24 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 11 3 24 2 24 123 48 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 13 3 48 2 48 14 3 96 2 −20if condition A, −21 if condition B 15 3 96 2 96

In one embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {960 kHz,960 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 108 RBs or 96 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 1600 MHz), TABLE 15 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 15 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 2 1 1 24 3 2 2 1 48 1 0 31 48 1 28 4 1 48 2 0 5 1 48 2 28 6 1 96 1 0 7 1 96 1 38 8 1 96 1 76 9 324 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 10 3 24 2 24 11 3 48 2 −20if condition A, −21 if condition B 12 3 48 2 48 13 3 96 2 −20 ifcondition A, −21 if condition B 14 3 96 2 96 15 Reserved

In one embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {960 kHz,960 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 156 RBs or 144 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 2160 MHz), TABLE 16 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 16 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 4 2 1 48 1 0 31 48 1 28 4 1 48 2 0 5 1 48 2 28 6 1 96 1 0 7 1 96 1 76 8 1 96 2 0 9 196 2 76 10 3 24 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 11 3 24 2 24 123 48 2 −20 if condition A, −21 if condition B 13 3 48 2 48 14 3 96 2 −20if condition A, −21 if condition B 15 3 96 2 96

In one embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {960 kHz,480 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 12 RBs in SS_SCS (e.g., theminimum carrier BW is 400 MHz), TABLE 17 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 17 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 48 1 0 1 1 48 1 8 2 1 48 2 0 31 48 2 8 4 1 48 3 0 5 1 48 3 8 6 1 96 1 28 7 1 96 2 28 8 1 96 3 28 9 224 1 −41 if condition A, −42 if condition B 10 2 24 1 25 11 2 48 1 −41if condition A, −42 if condition B 12 2 48 1 49 13 2 96 1 −41 ifcondition A, −42 if condition B 14 2 96 1 97 15 Reserved

In one embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {960 kHz,480 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 42 RBs or 36 RBs in SS_SCS (e.g.the minimum carrier BW is 800 MHz), TABLE 18 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 18 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 48 2 0 1 1 48 2 2 2 1 48 2 4 31 48 2 6 4 1 48 2 8 5 1 96 1 0 6 1 96 1 28 7 1 96 1 56 8 1 96 2 0 9 1 962 28 10 1 96 2 56 11 2 48 1 −41 if condition A, −42 if condition B 12 248 1 49 13 2 96 1 −41 if condition A, −42 if condition B 14 2 96 1 97 15Reserved

In one embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {960 kHz,480 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 108 RBs or 96 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 1600 MHz), TABLE 19 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 19 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 48 1 0 1 1 48 1 4 2 1 48 1 8 31 48 2 0 4 1 48 2 4 5 1 48 2 8 6 1 96 1 0 7 1 96 1 12 8 1 96 1 24 9 1 961 32 10 1 96 1 44 11 1 96 1 56 12 2 48 1 −41 if condition A, −42 ifcondition B 13 2 48 1 49 14 2 96 1 −41 if condition A, −42 if conditionB 15 2 96 1 97

In one embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {960 kHz,480 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 156 RBs or 144 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 2160 MHz), TABLE 20 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 20 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 48 1 0 1 1 48 1 3 2 1 48 1 5 31 48 1 8 4 1 96 1 0 5 1 96 1 8 6 1 96 1 16 7 1 96 1 24 8 1 96 1 32 9 196 1 40 10 1 96 1 48 11 1 96 1 56 12 2 48 1 −41 if condition A, −42 ifcondition B 13 2 48 1 49 14 2 96 1 −41 if condition A, −42 if conditionB 15 2 96 1 97

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{480 kHz, 960 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 42 RBs or 36 RBs inSS_SCS (e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 400 MHz), TABLE 21 (or a subsetof the configurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate theCORESET configuration, where condition A and condition B refer tok_SSB=0 and k_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 21 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 7 2 1 24 2 143 1 48 1 0 4 1 48 1 38 5 1 48 2 0 6 1 48 2 38 7 1 96 1 43 8 1 96 2 43 92 24 1 −11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 10 2 24 1 25 11 2 48 1 −11if condition A, −12 if condition B 12 2 48 1 49 13 2 96 1 −11 ifcondition A, −12 if condition B 14 2 96 1 97 15 Reserved

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{480 kHz, 960 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 108 RBs or 96 RBs inSS_SCS (e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 800 MHz), TABLE 22 (or a subsetof the configurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate theCORESET configuration, where condition A and condition B refer tok_SSB=0 and k_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 22 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 14 2 1 48 1 03 1 48 1 19 4 1 48 1 38 5 1 48 2 0 6 1 48 2 19 7 1 48 2 38 8 1 96 1 0 91 96 1 86 10 2 24 1 −11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 11 2 24 1 2512 2 48 1 −11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 13 2 48 1 49 14 2 96 1−11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 15 2 96 1 97

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{480 kHz, 960 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 240 RBs in SS_SCS(e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 1600 MHz), TABLE 23 (or a subset of theconfigurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate the CORESETconfiguration, where condition A and condition B refer to k_SSB=0 andk_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 23 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 14 2 1 48 1 03 1 48 1 38 4 1 48 2 0 5 1 48 2 38 6 1 96 1 0 7 1 96 1 28 8 1 96 1 58 91 96 1 86 10 2 24 1 −11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 11 2 24 1 2512 2 48 1 −11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 13 2 48 1 49 14 2 96 1−11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 15 2 96 1 97

In yet another embodiment, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as{480 kHz, 960 kHz} is supported, and SS raster is 324 RBs or 312 RBs inSS_SCS (e.g., the minimum carrier BW is 2160 MHz), TABLE 24 (or a subsetof the configurations in the table) can be utilized to indicate theCORESET configuration, where condition A and condition B refer tok_SSB=0 and k_SSB>0, respectively.

TABLE 24 Subset of configuration Multiplexing CORESET Number of IndexPattern BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 14 2 1 48 1 03 1 48 1 38 4 1 96 1 0 5 1 96 1 22 6 1 96 1 43 7 1 96 1 64 8 1 96 1 86 92 24 1 −11 if condition A, −12 if condition B 10 2 24 1 25 11 2 48 1 −11if condition A, −12 if condition B 12 2 48 1 49 13 2 96 1 −11 ifcondition A, −12 if condition B 14 2 96 1 97 15 Reserved

In NR, the other 4 bits of the field in MIB, i.e., pdcch-ConfigSIB1, isutilized to indicate the search space configuration of the PDCCH ofRMSI, where the configurations are determined based on multiplexingpattern, and the configuration on the SFN, slot, and symbol that thesearch space locates is specified.

In one embodiment, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks can be 128and the associated SCS can be 240 kHz, the total transmission durationof the burst set cannot be confined within 2.5 ms within the half frame,such that the configuration of 2.5 ms or 7.5 ms group offset (value O inthe tables) in multiplexing pattern 1 cannot be utilized for NR HFR. Forexample, the configuration table of parameters for PDCCH monitoringoccasions can be as in TABLE 25, wherein O and M are parameters used forcalculating the SFN and slot of the PDCCH monitoring occasions, i is theSS/PBCH block index, and l is the number of symbols for CORESET.

TABLE 25 Configuration table of parameters for PDCCH monitoringoccasions Number of search First symbol index of search Index O spacesets per slot M space 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {7, if i isodd} 2 0 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 3 0 1 2 0 4 5 1 1 0 55 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {7, if i is odd} 6 5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even},{l, if i is odd} 7 5 1 2 0 8 Reserved 9 Reserved 10 Reserved 11 Reserved12 Reserved 13 Reserved 14 Reserved 15 Reserved

In another embodiment, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks can be128 and the associated SCS can be 480 kHz, or the maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks can be 256 and the associated SCS can be 960 kHz (asdiscussed in Component II), the total transmission duration of the burstset can be confined within 2.5 ms within the half frame, and the sameconfiguration table as FR2 for multiplexing pattern 1 can be reused forNR FHR.

In another embodiment, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks can be 64and the associated SCS can be 480 kHz, or the maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks can be 128 and the associated SCS can be 960 kHz (as discussed inComponent II), the total transmission duration of the burst set can beconfined within 1.25 ms within the half frame, then the configuration ofgroup offset (value O in the tables) in multiplexing pattern 1 can bechanged to 1.25 and 6.25. For example, the configuration table ofparameters for PDCCH monitoring occasions can be as in TABLE 26, whereinO and M are parameters used for calculating the SFN and slot of thePDCCH monitoring occasions, i is the SS/PBCH block index, and l is thenumber of symbols for CORESET.

TABLE 26 Configuration table of parameters for PDCCH monitoringoccasions Number of search First symbol index of search Index O spacesets per slot M space 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {7, if i isodd} 2 0 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 3 0 1 2 0 4 5 1 1 0 55 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {7, if i is odd} 6 5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even},{l, if i is odd} 7 5 1 2 0 8 1.25 1 1 0 9 1.25 2 1/2 {0, if i is even},{7, if i is odd} 10 1.25 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 111.25 1 2 0 12 6.25 1 1 0 13 6.25 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {7, if i isodd} 14 6.25 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 15 6.25 1 2 0

In another embodiment, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks can be 64and the associated SCS can be 960 kHz, the total transmission durationof the burst set can be confined within 0.625 ms within the half frame,then the configuration of group offset (value O in the tables) inmultiplexing pattern 1 can be changed to 0.625 and 5.625. For example,the configuration table of parameters for PDCCH monitoring occasions canbe as in TABLE 27, wherein O and M are parameters used for calculatingthe SFN and slot of the PDCCH monitoring occasions, i is the SS/PBCHblock index, and l is the number of symbols for CORESET.

TABLE 27 Configuration table of parameters for PDCCH monitoringoccasions Number of search First symbol index of search Index O spacesets per slot M space 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {7, if i isodd} 2 0 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 3 0 1 2 0 4 5 1 1 0 55 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {7, if i is odd} 6 5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even},{l, if i is odd} 7 5 1 2 0 8 0.625 1 1 0 9 0.625 2 1/2 {0, if i iseven}, {7, if i is odd} 10 0.625 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i isodd} 11 0.625 1 2 0 12 5.625 1 1 0 13 5.625 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {7,if i is odd} 14 5.625 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 15 5.6251 2 0

In one embodiment, for multiplexing 2 and 3, the SFN, slot, and startingsymbol of the search space can be determined in a similar way as in FR2,wherein the particular value of the starting symbol for NR HFR maydepend on own mapping pattern of SS/PBCH block.

The present disclosure supports 60 kHz SCS of SS/PBCH block, and/orRMSI/OSI/paging, and/or RACH, for carrier frequency range below 7 GHz inNR unlicensed spectrum, and the related design aspects may at leastinclude the following: maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks with 60 kHz SCS;mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks with 60 kHz SCS within a half frame;common subcarrier spacing indication in PBCH; SS/PBCH block indexindication; subcarrier offset indication in PBCH; CORESET configurationindication in PBCH; search space configuration indication in PBCH; NRUband indication in PBCH; PRACH formats and configurations with 60 kHzSCS; and/or SS/PBCH block for non-standalone mode.

In NR, for carrier frequency range 0 GHz to 3 GHz, the maximum number ofSS/PBCH block within a burst set is 4, where the candidate SCS forSS/PBCH block can be 15 kHz, and can also be 30 kHz only for the NR-LTEcoexistence bands (e.g., n5 and n66); for carrier frequency range 3 GHzto 6 GHz, the maximum number of SS/PBCH block within a burst set is 8,where the candidate SCS for SS/PBCH block can be 15 kHz or 30 kHz; forcarrier frequency range 6 GHz to 52.6 GHz, the maximum number of SS/PBCHblock within a burst set is 64, where the candidate SCS for SS/PBCHblock can be 120 kHz or 240 kHz.

In one embodiment, for NRU-sub7 or a sub-division of the carrierfrequency range of NRU-sub7, the choice of SCS for SS/PBCH block can bedetermined by guaranteeing the performance against carrier frequencyoffset (CFO) (e.g. maximum 5 ppm) in initial cell search, and themaximum number of SS/PBCH block within a burst set can be determined bymaintaining similar time-domain overhead ratio within a half frame asthe ones already supported in other NR carrier frequency ranges, for thedetermined SCS for SS/PBCH block.

One example of this embodiment is illustrated in TABLE 28, where themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is determined as 16 and the maximum SCSfor SS/PBCH block is determined as 60 kHz. For a given NRU-sub7 band, atleast one of the following sub-embodiments can be applied (e.g.different sub-embodiment or same sub-embodiment with different SCSvalue(s) can be applied to different bands in NRU-sub7).

In one example, dual SCSs for SS/PBCH block can be supported for a givenNRU-sub7 band, and the UE may need to blindly detect the SCS in initialcell search, wherein the dual SCSs can be e.g. 60 kHz and 30 kHz.

In another example, single SCS for SS/PBCH block can be supported for agiven NRU-sub7 band, wherein the single SCS can be either 30 kHz or 60kHz. For example, 60 kHz is the only SCS for SS/PBCH block for 5 GHzunlicensed band and 6 GHz unlicensed band, and the maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks is 16.

TABLE 28 Carrier frequency range Time- Carrier Frequency Maximum # ofMax SCS for domain Range SS/PBCH Blocks SS/PBCH Max CFO Ratio*   0-3 GHzFR1 4  15 kHz** 15 kHz 22.8%   3-6 GHz FR1 8 30 kHz 30 kHz 22.8% 6-52.6GHz FR1 64 240 kHz  263 kHz  22.8% NRU-sub7 16 60 kHz 30 kHz 22.8%*Time-domain ratio is defined as the duration of transmitting allSS/PBCH blocks within a burst set divided by a half frame **30 kHz for0-3 GHz is only applied to coexistence bands, and SS/PBCH block exceedsmin carrier bandwidth of 5 MHz

If the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 16, the indication of actualtransmitted SS/PBCH blocks in RMSI can be a 16-bit full bitmap for theNRU-sub7 band, e.g. higher layer parameter SSB-transmitted-SIB1 can be a16-bit full bitmap for the NRU-sub7 band with maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks as 16. A UE may assume the i-th SS/PBCH block within the halfframe is actually transmitted, if the corresponding i-th bit in thebitmap takes the value of 1 and may assume the i-th SS/PBCH block withinthe half frame is not actually transmitted, if the corresponding i-thbit in the bitmap takes the value of 0.

If the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 16, the indication of actualtransmitted SS/PBCH blocks in RRC can be a 16-bit full bitmap for theNRU-sub7 band, e.g., higher layer parameter SSB-transmitted can be a16-bit full bitmap for the NRU-sub7 band with maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks as 16. A UE may assume the i-th SS/PBCH block within the halfframe is actually transmitted, if the corresponding i-th bit in thebitmap takes the value of 1 and may assume the i-th SS/PBCH block withinthe half frame is not actually transmitted, if the corresponding i-thbit in the bitmap takes the value of 0.

In another embodiment, for NRU-sub7 or a sub-division of the carrierfrequency range of NRU-sub7, the choice of SCS for SS/PBCH block can bedetermined by guaranteeing the performance against carrier frequencyoffset (CFO) (e.g. maximum 5 ppm) in initial cell search, but themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks maintains the same as NR FR1. Forexample, the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is determined as 8 and themaximum SCS for SS/PBCH block can be 60 kHz. For a given NRU-sub7 band,at least one of the following sub-embodiments can be applied (e.g.different sub-embodiment or same sub-embodiment with different SCSvalue(s) can be applied to different bands in NRU-sub7).

In one example, dual SCSs for SS/PBCH block can be supported for a givenNRU-sub7 band, and the UE may need to blindly detect the SCS in initialcell search, wherein the dual SCSs can be e.g. 60 kHz and 30 kHz. Forexample, 60 kHz and 30 kHz are both supported SCSs for SS/PBCH block for5 GHz unlicensed band and 6 GHz unlicensed band, and the maximum numberof SS/PBCH blocks is 8.

In another example, a single SCS for SS/PBCH block can be supported fora given NRU-sub7 band, wherein the single SCS can be either 60 kHz or 30kHz. For example, 60 kHz is the only SCS for SS/PBCH block for 5 GHzunlicensed band and 6 GHz unlicensed band, and the maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks is 8.

In yet another embodiment, for NRU-sub7 or a sub-division of the carrierfrequency range of NRU-sub7, the choice of SCS for SS/PBCH block can bedetermined by guaranteeing the performance against carrier frequencyoffset (CFO) (e.g., maximum 5 ppm) in an initial cell search, but themaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is reduced from NR FR1. For example,the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is determined as 4 and the maximumSCS for SS/PBCH block can be 60 kHz. For a given NRU-sub7 band, at leastone of the following sub-embodiments can be applied (e.g. differentsub-embodiment or same sub-embodiment with different SCS value(s) can beapplied to different bands in NRU-sub7).

In one example, dual SCSs for SS/PBCH block can be supported for a givenNRU-sub7 band, and the UE may need to blindly detect the SCS in initialcell search, wherein the dual SCSs can be 60 kHz and 30 kHz. Forexample, 60 kHz and 30 kHz are both supported SCSs for SS/PBCH block for5 GHz unlicensed band and 6 GHz unlicensed band, and the maximum numberof SS/PBCH blocks is 4.

In another example, a single SCS for SS/PBCH block can be supported fora given NRU-sub7 band, wherein the single SCS can be either 60 kHz or 30kHz. For example, 60 kHz is the only SCS for SS/PBCH block for 5 GHzunlicensed band and 6 GHz unlicensed band, and the maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks is 4.

The mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks can be designed with respect to areference SCS (e.g., the reference SCS can be the one utilized for datatransmission) such that the symbols mapped for control channels (e.g.,PDCCH and/or PUCCH) and/or gap can be reserved (e.g. not mapped forSS/PBCH blocks) with respect to the reference SCS.

FIG. 24 illustrates yet another example mapping design 2400 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 2400 illustrated in FIG. 24 is for illustration only. FIG. 24does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

At least one of mapping patterns can be utilized for the mapping ofSS/PBCH blocks with 60 kHz (including multiple patterns are supportedsimultaneously for NRU-sub7).

In one embodiment, if using 15 kHz or 30 kHz Pattern 1 as the referenceSCS to design the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, the first twosymbols (e.g. #0 and #1) as well the last two symbols (e.g. #12 and #13)with respect to the reference SCS of 15 kHz can be reserved. An exampleof this mapping design is illustrated in FIG. 24, and the mappingpattern can be determined as in the following examples.

In one example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz, the first symbolsof the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40,44} within every design unit of 56 symbols (e.g. 4 slots with totalduration of 1 ms), if L=8 or 16.

In another example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz, the firstsymbols of the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {8, 12, 16, 20}within every design unit of 56 symbols (e.g. 4 slots with total durationof 1 ms), if L=4.

FIG. 25 illustrates yet another example mapping design 2500 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 2500 illustrated in FIG. 25 is for illustration only. FIG. 25does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

The mapping of the design unit, 1 ms as a slot of 15 kHz SCS as thereference SCS, into the transmission window of SS/PBCH blocks can bedetermined as in FIG. 25 (L is maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks in thefigure), wherein the indexes of the design unit that contains themapping pattern as illustrated in FIG. 24 are given as in the followingexamples.

In one example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz and maximum numberof SS/PBCH blocks being 4 or 8, the indexes of design units of 1 ms witha half frame are given by O+{0}, where O is the timing offset within theSS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In another example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz and maximumnumber of SS/PBCH blocks being 16, the indexes of design units of 1 mswith a half frame are given by O+{0, 1}, where O is the timing offsetwithin the SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

Combing the above design aspects together, the following examples ofmapping pattern for SS/PBCH blocks can be obtained (symbol index 0 isthe symbol 0 of the first slot of the half frame).

In one example, for a NRU-sub7 band, if 60 kHz SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given NRU-sub7 band, and the maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks is 4 within a burst set, the first symbols of the 4 candidateSS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can have indexes {8, 12, 16,20}+56*N_unit, where N_unit=O, and O is the timing offset within theSS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In another example, for a NRU-sub7 band, if 60 kHz SCS of SS/PBCH blocksis supported for a given NRU-sub7 band, and the maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks is 8 within a burst set, the first symbols of the 8candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can have indexes {8, 12,16, 20, 32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit, where N_unit=O, and O is the timingoffset within the SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In yet another example, for a NRU-sub7 band, if 60 kHz SCS of SS/PBCHblocks is supported for a given NRU-sub7 band, and the maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks is 16 within a burst set, the first symbols of the 16candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can have indexes {8, 12,16, 20, 32, 36, 40, 44}+56*N_unit, where N_unit=O or O+1, and O is thetiming offset within the SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

FIG. 26 illustrates yet another example mapping design 2600 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 2600 illustrated in FIG. 26 is for illustration only. FIG. 26does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In another embodiment, if using 30 kHz Pattern 2 as the reference SCS todesign the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, the first two symbols(e.g. #0 and #1) as well the last two symbols (e.g. #12 and #13) withrespect to the reference SCS of 30 kHz can be reserved. An example ofthis mapping design is illustrated in FIG. 26, and mapping patterns aredetermined as in the following examples.

In one example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz, the first symbolsof the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {4, 8, 16, 20} within everydesign unit of 28 symbols (e.g. 2 slots with total duration of 0.5 ms).

FIG. 27 illustrates yet another example mapping design 2700 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 2700 illustrated in FIG. 27 is for illustration only. FIG. 27does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.5 ms as a slot of 30 kHz SCS as thereference SCS, into the transmission window of SS/PBCH blocks can bedetermined as illustrated in FIG. 27 (L is maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks in the figure), wherein the indexes of the design unit thatcontains the mapping pattern as illustrated in FIG. 26 are given as inthe following examples.

In one example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz and maximum numberof SS/PBCH blocks being 4, the indexes of design units of 0.5 ms with ahalf frame are given by O+{0}, where O is the timing offset within theSS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In another example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz and maximumnumber of SS/PBCH blocks being 8, the indexes of design units of 0.5 mswith a half frame are given by O+{0, 1}, where O is the timing offsetwithin the SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In yet another example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz andmaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 16, the indexes of design unitsof 0.5 ms with a half frame are given by O+{0, 1, 2, 3}, where O is thetiming offset within the SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

Combing the design aspects together, the following examples of mappingpattern for SS/PBCH blocks can be obtained (symbol index 0 is the symbol0 of the first slot of the half frame).

In one example, for a NRU-sub7 band, if 60 kHz SCS of SS/PBCH blocks issupported for a given NRU-sub7 band, and the maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks is 4 within a burst set, the first symbols of the 4 candidateSS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can have indexes {4, 8, 16,20}+28*N_unit, where N_unit=O, and O is the timing offset within theSS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In another example, for a NRU-sub7 band, if 60 kHz SCS of SS/PBCH blocksis supported for a given NRU-sub7 band, and the maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks is 8 within a burst set, the first symbols of the 8candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can have indexes {4, 8, 16,20}+28*N_unit, where N_unit=O or O+1, and O is the timing offset withinthe SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In yet another example, for a NRU-sub7 band, if 60 kHz SCS of SS/PBCHblocks is supported for a given NRU-sub7 band, and the maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks is 16 within a burst set, the first symbols of the 16candidate SS/PBCH blocks within a half frame can have indexes {4, 8, 16,20}+28*N_unit, where N_unit=O, O+1, O+2, or O+3, and O is the timingoffset within the SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In another embodiment, if using 60 kHz as the reference SCS and normalCP to design the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, e.g., the SCS ofdata and the SCS of SS/PBCH blocks are the same, the SS/PBCH blocks canbe mapped to a unit of 0.25 ms (1 slot of 60 kHz SCS).

FIG. 28 illustrates yet another example mapping design 2800 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingdesign 2800 illustrated in FIG. 28 is for illustration only. FIG. 28does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In one example (e.g., example 1 in FIG. 28), the first two symbols (e.g.#0 and #1) and last two symbols (e.g. #12 and #13) with respect to thereference SCS of 60 kHz can be reserved, and the first symbols of thecandidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {2, 8} within every design unit of14 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.25 ms). The 2 symbolsbefore each SS/PBCH block can be used for at least one of the followingpurpose: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, and the 2 symbols at the end ofthe slot can be used for at least one of the following purpose: LBT fornext slot, or transmitting configured CSI-RS.

In another example (e.g., example 2 in FIG. 28), the first symbols ofthe candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {2, 9} within every designunit of 14 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.25 ms). The 2symbols before each SS/PBCH block can be used for at least one of thefollowing purpose: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS. The mapping of two SS/PBCH blocks into the first halfslot (first 7 symbols of the slot) and second half slot (second 7symbols of the slot) is the same, such that same multiplexing pattern ofSS/PBCH block with other signals (e.g. CRI-RS) and/or channels (e.g.PDCCH/PDSCH of RMAI/OSI/paging) can be the same for the first and secondhalf slots.

In yet another example (e.g., example 3 in FIG. 28), the first symbolsof the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {3, 10} within every designunit of 14 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.25 ms). The 3symbols before each SS/PBCH block can be used for at least one of thefollowing purpose: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS. The mapping of two SS/PBCH blocks into the first halfslot (first 7 symbols of the slot) and second half slot (second 7symbols of the slot) is the same, such that same multiplexing pattern ofSS/PBCH block with other signals (e.g. CRI-RS) and/or channels (e.g.PDCCH/PDSCH of RMAI/OSI/paging) can be the same for the first and secondhalf slots.

In yet another example (e.g., example 4 in FIG. 28), the first symbolsof the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {6, 10} within every designunit of 14 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.25 ms). Thefirst 6 symbols before SS/PBCH blocks can be used for at least one ofthe following purpose: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS.

In yet another example (e.g., example 5 in FIG. 28), the first symbolsof the candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {4, 8} within every designunit of 14 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.25 ms). Thefirst 4 symbols before SS/PBCH blocks can be used for at least one ofthe following purposes: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS, and the 2 symbols at the end of the slot can be usedfor at least one of the following purposes: LBT for next slot ortransmitting configured CSI-RS.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example a mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks 2900according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment ofthe mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks 2900 illustrated in FIG. 29 is forillustration only. FIG. 29 does not limit the scope of this disclosureto any particular implementation.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.25 ms as a slot of 60 kHz SCS as thereference SCS, into the transmission window of SS/PBCH blocks can bedetermined as illustrated in FIG. 29 (L is maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks in the figure), wherein the indexes of the design unit thatcontains the mapping pattern given by examples as illustrated in FIG. 28are given as in the following examples.

In one example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz and maximum numberof SS/PBCH blocks being 4, the indexes of design units of 0.25 ms with ahalf frame are given by O+{0, 1}, where O is the timing offset withinthe SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In another example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz and maximumnumber of SS/PBCH blocks being 8, the indexes of design units of 0.25 mswith a half frame are given by O+{0, 1, 2, 3}, where O is the timingoffset within the SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In yet another example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz andmaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 16, the indexes of design unitsof 0.25 ms with a half frame are given by O+{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7},where O is the timing offset within the SS/PBCH blocks transmissionwindow due to LBT.

In yet another embodiment, if using 60 kHz as the reference SCS todesign the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, e.g., the SCS of data andthe SCS of SS/PBCH blocks are the same, the SS/PBCH blocks can be mappedcontiguously in time domain, e.g. to a unit of 0.5 ms (2 slot of 60 kHzSCS). For example, in general, the first symbols of the candidateSS/PBCH blocks have indexes {X, X+4, X+8, X+12} within every design unitof 28 symbols (e.g. 2 slots with total duration of 0.5 ms), wherein X ispredefined.

FIG. 30 illustrates another example a mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks3000 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodimentof the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks 3000 illustrated in FIG. 30 isfor illustration only. FIG. 30 does not limit the scope of thisdisclosure to any particular implementation.

In one example (e.g., example 1 in FIG. 30), the first symbols of thecandidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {12, 16, 20, 24} within everydesign unit of 28 symbols (e.g. 2 slots with total duration of 0.5 ms).The 12 symbols before SS/PBCH blocks can be used for at least one of thefollowing purpose: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS.

In another example (e.g., example 2 in FIG. 30), the first symbols ofthe candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {10, 14, 18, 22} within everydesign unit of 28 symbols (e.g. 2 slots with total duration of 0.5 ms).The 10 symbols before SS/PBCH blocks can be used for at least one of thefollowing purposes: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS, and the 2 symbols at the end of the slot can be usedfor at least one of the following purposes: LBT for next slot ortransmitting configured CSI-RS.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.5 ms as 2 slots of 60 kHz SCS as thereference SCS, into the transmission window of SS/PBCH blocks can bedetermined as 0, wherein O is the timing offset within the SS/PBCHblocks transmission window due to LBT, and the indexes of the designunit contains the mapping pattern given by examples as illustrated inFIG. 30.

FIG. 31 illustrates yet another example a mapping pattern of SS/PBCHblocks 3100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theembodiment of the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks 3100 illustrated inFIG. 31 is for illustration only. FIG. 31 does not limit the scope ofthis disclosure to any particular implementation.

In one example (e.g., example 1 in FIG. 31), the first two symbols (e.g.#0 and #1) and last two symbols (e.g. #10 and #11) with respect to thereference SCS of 60 kHz can be reserved, and the first symbols of thecandidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {2, 6} within every design unit of12 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.25 ms). The 2 symbolsbefore each SS/PBCH block can be used for at least one of the followingpurpose: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, and the 2 symbols at the end ofthe slot can be used for at least one of the following purpose: LBT fornext slot, or transmitting configured CSI-RS.

In another example (e.g., example 2 in FIG. 31), the first symbols ofthe candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {2, 8} within every designunit of 12 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.25 ms). The 2symbols before each SS/PBCH block can be used for at least one of thefollowing purpose: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS. The mapping of two SS/PBCH blocks into the first halfslot (first 6 symbols of the slot) and second half slot (second 6symbols of the slot) is the same, such that same multiplexing pattern ofSS/PBCH block with other signals (e.g. CRI-RS) and/or channels (e.g.PDCCH/PDSCH of RMAI/OSI/paging) can be the same for the first and secondhalf slots.

In another example (e.g., example 3 in FIG. 31), the first symbols ofthe candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {4, 8} within every designunit of 12 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.25 ms). The 4symbols before each SS/PBCH block can be used for at least one of thefollowing purpose: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS.

In another example (e.g., example 4 in FIG. 31), the first symbols ofthe candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {3, 7} within every designunit of 12 symbols (e.g. 1 slot with total duration of 0.25 ms). The 3symbols before each SS/PBCH block can be used for at least one of thefollowing purposes: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS, and the 1 symbol at the end of the slot can be usedfor at least one of the following purposes: LBT for next slot ortransmitting configured CSI-RS.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.25 ms as a slot of 60 kHz SCS as thereference SCS, into the transmission window of SS/PBCH blocks can bedetermined as in FIG. 29 (L is maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks in thefigure), wherein the indexes of the design unit that contains themapping pattern given by examples in FIG. 31 are given as in thefollowing examples.

In one example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz and maximum numberof SS/PBCH blocks being 4, the indexes of design units of 0.25 ms with ahalf frame are given by O+{0, 1}, where O is the timing offset withinthe SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In another example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz and maximumnumber of SS/PBCH blocks being 8, the indexes of design units of 0.25 mswith a half frame are given by O+{0, 1, 2, 3}, where O is the timingoffset within the SS/PBCH blocks transmission window due to LBT.

In yet another example, for SCS of SS/PBCH block being 60 kHz andmaximum number of SS/PBCH blocks being 16, the indexes of design unitsof 0.25 ms with a half frame are given by O+{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7},where O is the timing offset within the SS/PBCH blocks transmissionwindow due to LBT.

In yet another embodiment, if using 60 kHz as the reference SCS and ECPto design the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks, e.g., the SCS of dataand the SCS of SS/PBCH blocks are the same, the SS/PBCH blocks can bemapped contiguously in time domain, e.g. to a unit of 0.5 ms (2 slot of60 kHz SCS). For example, in general, the first symbols of the candidateSS/PBCH blocks have indexes {X, X+4, X+8, X+12} within every design unitof 24 symbols (e.g., 2 slots with total duration of 0.5 ms), wherein Xis predefined.

FIG. 32 illustrates yet another example a mapping pattern of SS/PBCHblocks 3200 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theembodiment of the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks 3200 illustrated inFIG. 32 is for illustration only. FIG. 32 does not limit the scope ofthis disclosure to any particular implementation.

In one example (e.g., example 1 in FIG. 32), the first symbols of thecandidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {8, 12, 16, 20} within everydesign unit of 24 symbols (e.g. 2 slots with total duration of 0.5 ms).The 8 symbols before SS/PBCH blocks can be used for at least one of thefollowing purpose: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS.

In another example (e.g., example 2 in FIG. 32), the first symbols ofthe candidate SS/PBCH blocks have indexes {6, 10, 14, 18} within everydesign unit of 24 symbols (e.g. 2 slots with total duration of 0.5 ms).The 6 symbols before SS/PBCH blocks can be used for at least one of thefollowing purposes: LBT, or multiplexing CORESET, or transmittingconfigured CSI-RS, and the 2 symbols at the end of the slot can be usedfor at least one of the following purposes: LBT for next slot ortransmitting configured CSI-RS.

The mapping of the design unit, 0.5 ms as 2 slots of 60 kHz SCS as thereference SCS, into the transmission window of SS/PBCH blocks can bedetermined as 0, wherein O is the timing offset within the SS/PBCHblocks transmission window due to LBT, and the indexes of the designunit contains the mapping pattern given by examples as illustrated inFIG. 32.

In NR, a one-bit field in MIB, i.e., subCarrierSpacingCommon, isutilized to indicate the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACHprocedure for initial access, and broadcast SI-messages. For FR1, thesubcarrier spacing can be either 15 kHz or 30 kHz, and for FR2, thesubcarrier spacing can be either 60 kHz or 120 kHz.

In one embodiment, for NRU-sub7, the same one-bit field can be utilizedto indicate the common value for the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg2/4 of RACH procedure for initial access (if supported in NRU), andbroadcast SI-messages, but with potentially same or different indicatedvalues. For example, the one-bit field can be utilized to indicate onefrom {30 kHz, 60 kHz} for NRU-sub7.

In another embodiment, for NRU-sub7, the one-bit fieldsubCarrierSpacingCommon can be combined with other reserved bit orunused bit(s)/codepoints from other field(s) in the PBCH content ofNRU-sub7 to indicate the common value for the subcarrier spacing forRMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACH procedure for initial access (if supported inNRU), and broadcast SI-messages, such that the one-bit field canindicate more than 2 values. For example, the one-bit field can becombined with another reserved/unused bit or unused codepoints toindicate one of 3 or 4 SCS values. For example, the set of SCS values tobe indicated can be {15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz}.

In yet another embodiment, for NRU-sub7, the common subcarrier spacingfor RMSI, Msg 2/4 of the random access procedure for initial access (ifsupported in NRU), and broadcast SI-messages can be fixed and theone-bit field subCarrierSpacingCommon can be reserved or utilized forother indication for NRU-sub7. For example, for a given NRU-sub7 band(e.g. 5 GHz unlicensed band and/or 6 GHz unlicensed band), the commonsubcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACH procedure for initialaccess (if supported in NRU), and broadcast SI-messages can bepredefined as the same as the subcarrier spacing of SS/PBCH block (e.g.,the common SCS is 60 kHz), and no indication is required in MIB forNRU-sub7.

In NR, the SS/PBCH block index is carried by the DMRS sequence of PBCHand potentially the PBCH content. For L=64, the 3 MSBs of SS/PBCH blockindex are indicated by the PBCH content, and the 3 LSBs of SS/PBCH blockindex are carried by the DMRS sequence of PBCH; for L=8, the 3 bits ofSS/PBCH block index are carried by the DMRS sequence of PBCH; for L=4,the 2 bits of SS/PBCH block index are carried by the DMRS sequence ofPBCH.

In one embodiment, for NRU-sub7, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blocksis 8, the same mechanism can be utilized for carrying the SS/PBCH blockindex. For example, the 3 bits of SS/PBCH block index are carried by theDMRS sequence of PBCH.

In another embodiment, for NRU-sub7, if the maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks is 16, the SS/PBCH block index can be carried using at least oneof the following examples (e.g., multiple examples can be supported atthe same for different sub-division of the carrier frequency ranges ofNRU-sub7).

In one example, the 4 bits of SS/PBCH block index are carried by theDMRS sequence of PBCH.

In another example, the MSB of SS/PBCH block index is indicated by thePBCH content, and the 3 LSBs of SS/PBCH block index are carried by theDMRS sequence of PBCH (e.g. keep the same sequence design of DMRS ofPBCH).

In yet another example, the 3 LSBs of SS/PBCH block index are carried bythe DMRS sequence of PBCH (e.g. keep the same sequence design of DMRS ofPBCH), and the MSB can be carried in one of the following sub-examples.

In one instance, the MSB can be carried by the sequence frequency-domainmapping order of DMRS of PBCH (e.g., either mapping from lowest RE tohighest RE or mapping from highest RE to lowest RE).

In another instance, the MSB can be carried by the sequencefrequency-domain and time-domain mapping order of DMRS of PBCH (e.g.either frequency-first-and-time-second mapping order ortime-first-and-frequency-second mapping order).

In yet another instance, the MSB can be carried by the CRC mask code ofPBCH.

In yet another instance, the MSB can be carried by changing the RElocations mapped for PBCH in different symbols (e.g. either no shift ora predefined shift pattern for different symbols mapped for PBCH).

In yet another embodiment, for NRU-sub7, if the maximum number ofSS/PBCH blocks is 4, the same mechanism can be utilized for carrying theSS/PBCH block index, and the saved 1 bit can be utilized for indicatingother information. For example, the 2 bits of SS/PBCH block index arecarried by the DMRS sequence of PBCH, and, the 2 bits of SS/PBCH blockindex can be combined with the timing offset to be carried by the DMRSsequence of PBCH.

In NR, one 4-bit field in MIB, i.e., ssb-SubcarrierOffset, is utilizedto indicate the subcarrier offset between the RB grids of SS/PBCH blockand RMSI CORESET for NR FR1, and this field together with another bitgenerated in the physical layer are utilized to indicate the subcarrieroffset between the RB grids of SS/PBCH block and RMSI CORESET for NRFR2.

In one embodiment, for NRU-sub7, if the candidate SCS for the commonvalue for the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACH procedure forinitial access (if supported in NRU), and broadcast SI-messages is onlyone (as discussed in Component IV), at most 12 values on the subcarrieroffset are required to indicate and 4 bits are sufficient to indicate.For example, the field ssb-SubcarrierOffset in MIB can still be utilizedto indicate the subcarrier offset.

In another embodiment, for NRU-sub7, if the candidate SCS for the commonvalues for the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACH procedurefor initial access (if supported in NRU), and broadcast SI-messages aretwo (e.g. {30 kHz, 60 kHz}), which is indicated by 1 separate bit in MIB(as discussed in Component IV), at most 24 values on the subcarrieroffset are required to indicate and 5 bits are sufficient to indicate.For example, the field ssb-SubcarrierOffset in MIB, together withanother reserved or unused bit can be utilized to indicate thesubcarrier offset.

In another embodiment, for NRU-sub7, if the candidate SCS for the commonvalues for the subcarrier spacing for RMSI, Msg 2/4 of RACH procedurefor initial access (if supported in NRU), and broadcast SI-messages arethree (e.g., {15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz}), which is indicated by 2 separatebits (as discussed in Component IV), at most 36 on the subcarrier offsetare required to indicate and at most 6 bits are sufficient to indicate.For one example, the field ssb-SubcarrierOffset in MIB, together withanother 2 reserved and/or unused bits can be utilized to indicate thesubcarrier offset. For another example, the field ssb-SubcarrierOffsetin MIB, together with another 1 reserved or unused bit can be utilizedto indicate the subcarrier offset up to 24 values.

In NR, 4 bits of the field in MIB, i.e., pdcch-ConfigSIB1, is utilizedto indicate the CORESET configuration of RMSI, where the configurationsof the multiplexing pattern, CORESET BW, number of symbols for CORESET,and RB-level offset between SS/PBCH block and CORESET are jointly codedusing the 4 bits. This configuration can be reused for broadcast OSI andpaging as well in the initial access procedure. The configuration tableis determined per the combination of subcarrier spacing of SS/PBCH blockand PDCCH in CORESET.

In general, for multiplexing pattern 1 of the SS/PBCH block and CORESET,the required number of configurations on the RB-level offset betweenSS/PBCH block and CORESET, #RB_offset, can be determined as follow:#RB_offset=[SS_Raster/((Carrier_BW−CORESET_BW+1)*RMSI_SCS/SS_SCS)],where SS_Raster is the synchronization raster in term of RB in SS/PBCHsubcarrier spacing, Carrier_BW is the bandwidth of the carrier in termof RB in RMSI subcarrier spacing, CORESET_BW is the bandwidth of theRMSI CORESET in term of RB in RMSI subcarrier spacing, RMSI_SCS is thesubcarrier spacing of RMSI, SS_SCS is the subcarrier spacing of SS/PBCHblock. The choices of the #RB_offset offset values can be determined assymmetric or approximately symmetric with respect to the configurationwhere SS/PBCH block and RMSI CORESET are center-aligned.

In general, for multiplexing pattern 2 and 3 of the SS/PBCH block andCORESET, the required number of configurations on the RB-level offsetbetween SS/PBCH block and CORESET, #RB_offset, can be 2, wherein the twoconfigurations can be determined according to: {CORESET_BW,−SSB_BW*SS_SCS/RMSI_SCS} if the subcarrier offset k_SSB=0 andSS_SCS=RMSI_SCS; {CORESET_BW, −SSB_BW*SS_SCS/RMSI_SCS−1} if thesubcarrier offset k_SSB≠0 and SS_SCS=RMSI_SCS; {CORESET_BW+1,−SSB_BW*SS_SCS/RMSI_SCS−1} if the subcarrier offset k_SSB=0 andSS_SCS≠RMSI_SCS; and/or {CORESET_BW+1, −SSB_BW*SS_SCS/RMSI_SCS−2} if thesubcarrier offset k_SSB=0 and SS_SCS≠RMSI_SCS, where SSB_BW is thebandwidth of SS/PBCH block in term of own subcarrier spacing.

For NRU-sub7, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {60 kHz, 60kHz} is supported, and the minimum carrier BW is 20 MHz, then, thetheoretical upper bound of SS raster can be 4 RBs (in the SCS of 60kHz)+Channel Raster, where Channel Raster can be either 100 kHz or 15kHz.

In one embodiment, only multiplexing pattern 1 is supported forNRU-sub7.

In one example, the channel raster can be with full flexibility, andTABLE 29 summarizes the required number of RB offsets with respect todifferent SS raster value (wherein the SS raster is aligned with asubset of the ones for NR licensed spectrum) and CORESET BW formultiplexing pattern 1.

In one example, TABLE 30A can be utilized to indicate the RMSI CORESETconfiguration (e.g. using SS raster as 2.88 MHz).

In another example, the RMSI CORESET configuration with CORESET BW of 24PRBs only is as in TABLE 30B or TABLE 30C. Note that there is 1 bitsaved in TABLE 30B, and this bit can be utilized for other purpose.

In another example, the channel raster can be limited to a certainrange, such that only single configuration is sufficient for a givenCORESET_BW and given carrier (e.g., 20 MHz carrier as in 5 GHzunlicensed band).

In one example, for each combination of {CORESET_BW, number of CORESETsymbols}, one configuration from TABLE 30A is supported.

In another embodiment, multiplexing pattern 3 can be supported forNRU-sub7, in addition to multiplexing pattern 1. In one instance, ifCORESET_BW=24 RBs, the required configuration for multiplexing pattern 3are {24, −20} if k_SSB=0; and are {24, −21} if k_SSB≠0. In anotherinstance, if CORESET_BW=48 RBs, the required configuration formultiplexing pattern 3 are {48, −20} if k_SSB=0; and are {48, −21} ifk_SSB≠0. In yet another instance, if CORESET_BW=96 RBs, the requiredconfiguration for multiplexing pattern 3 are {96, −20} if k_SSB=0; andare {96, −21} if k_SSB≠0.

TABLE 29 #RB_offset and SS raster SS Raster #RB_offset 1.44 MHz 2.88 MHz1.20 MHz 2.40 MHz CORESET 24 2 4 2 4 BW 48 1 1 1 1 (RBs) 96 1 1 1 1

TABLE 30A Configuration Number of Multiplexing CORESET Index PatternCORESET BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 1 2 1 24 2 2 31 24 2 3 4 1 24 3 0 5 1 24 3 1 6 1 24 3 2 7 1 24 3 3 8 1 48 1 14 9 1 482 14 10 1 48 3 14 11 1 96 1 38 12 1 96 2 38 13 1 96 3 38 14 Reserved 15Reserved

TABLE 30B Configuration Number of Multiplexing CORESET Index PatternCORESET BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 0 1 1 24 2 1 2 1 24 2 2 31 24 2 3 4 1 24 3 0 5 1 24 3 1 6 1 24 3 2 7 1 24 3 3 8 Reserved 9Reserved 10 Reserved 11 Reserved 12 Reserved 13 Reserved 14 Reserved 15Reserved

TABLE 30C Configuration Number of Multiplexing CORESET Index PatternCORESET BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 1 0 1 1 24 1 1 2 1 24 1 2 31 24 1 3 4 1 24 2 0 5 1 24 2 1 6 1 24 2 2 7 1 24 2 3 8 1 24 3 0 9 1 24 31 10 1 24 3 2 11 1 24 3 3 12 Reserved 13 Reserved 14 Reserved 15Reserved

For NRU-sub7, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {30 kHz, 60kHz} is supported, and the minimum carrier BW is 20 MHz, then, thetheoretical upper bound of SS raster can be 31 RBs (in the SCS of 30kHz)+Channel Raster, where Channel Raster can be either 100 kHz or 15kHz. In one embodiment, only multiplexing pattern 1 is supported forNRU-sub7. In another embodiment, multiplexing pattern 2 can be supportedfor NRU-sub7, in addition to multiplexing pattern 1.

TABLE 31 summarizes the required number of RB offsets with respect todifferent SS raster value (wherein the SS raster is aligned with asubset of the ones for NR licensed spectrum) and CORESET BW formultiplexing pattern 1. In one example, TABLE 32A can be utilized toindicate the RMSI CORESET configuration (e.g., using SS raster as 5.76MHz), wherein the table size is larger than 4 bits. In another example,a subset of indices of TABLE 32A can be utilized to indicate the RMSICORESET configuration (e.g., only the ones with CORESET BW of 24 PRBsand a particular example is as in TABLE 32B), wherein the table size canfit in 4 bits.

TABLE 31 #RB_offset and SS raster SS Raster #RB_offset 8.64 MHz 5.76 MHz2.88 MHz 1.44 MHz CORES 24 12 8 4 2 ET BW 48 3 3 2 1 (RBs) 96 1 1 1 1

TABLE 32A Configuration Number of Multiplexing CORESET BW CORESET IndexPattern (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 4 1 1 24 2 5 2 1 24 2 6 3 124 2 7 4 1 24 2 8 5 1 24 2 9 6 1 24 2 10 7 1 24 2 11 8 1 24 3 4 9 1 24 35 10 1 24 3 6 11 1 24 3 7 12 1 24 3 8 13 1 24 3 9 14 1 24 3 10 15 1 24 311 16 1 48 1 0 17 1 48 1 19 18 1 48 1 38 19 1 48 2 0 20 1 48 2 19 21 148 2 38 22 1 48 3 0 23 1 48 3 19 24 1 48 3 38 25 1 96 1 43 26 1 96 2 4327 1 96 3 43

TABLE 32B Configuration Number of Multiplexing CORESET BW CORESET IndexPattern (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 24 2 4 1 1 24 2 5 2 1 24 2 6 3 124 2 7 4 1 24 2 8 5 1 24 2 9 6 1 24 2 10 7 1 24 2 11 8 1 24 3 4 9 1 24 35 10 1 24 3 6 11 1 24 3 7 12 1 24 3 8 13 1 24 3 9 14 1 24 3 10 15 1 24 311

For NRU-sub7, if the combination of {SS_SCS, RMSI_SCS} as {60 kHz, 30kHz} is supported, and the minimum carrier BW is 20 MHz, then, thetheoretical upper bound of SS raster can be 4 RBs (in the SCS of 60kHz)+Channel Raster, where Channel Raster can be either 100 kHz or 15kHz.

In one embodiment, only multiplexing pattern 1 is supported forNRU-sub7. In one example, TABLE 33 summarizes the required number of RBoffsets with respect to different SS raster value (wherein the SS rasteris aligned with a subset of the ones for NR licensed spectrum) andCORESET BW for multiplexing pattern 1.

In another embodiment, multiplexing pattern 2 can be supported forNRU-sub7, in addition to multiplexing pattern 1.

In one example, TABLE 34A can be utilized to indicate the RMSI CORESETconfiguration (e.g. using SS raster as 2.88 MHz).

In another example, a subset of indices of TABLE 34A can be utilized toindicate the RMSI CORESET configuration (e.g., only the ones withCORESET BW of 48 PRBs and a particular example is as illustrated inTABLE 34B).

TABLE 33 #RB_offset and SS raster SS Raster #RB_offset 1.44 MHz 2.88 MHz1.20 MHz 2.40 MHz CORES 48 2 3 2 3 ET BW 96 1 1 1 1 (RBs)

TABLE 34A Configuration Number of Multiplexing CORESET Index PatternCORESET BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 48 1 0 1 1 48 1 4 2 1 48 1 8 31 48 2 0 4 1 48 2 4 5 1 48 2 8 6 1 48 3 0 7 1 48 3 4 8 1 48 3 8 9 1 96 128 10 1 96 2 28 11 1 96 3 28 12 Reserved 13 Reserved 14 Reserved 15Reserved

TABLE 34B Configuration Number of Multiplexing CORESET Index PatternCORESET BW (RBs) Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 48 1 0 1 1 48 1 4 2 1 48 1 8 31 48 2 0 4 1 48 2 4 5 1 48 2 8 6 1 48 3 0 7 1 48 3 4 8 1 48 3 8 9Reserved 10 Reserved 11 Reserved 12 Reserved 13 Reserved 14 Reserved 15Reserved

In NR, the other 4 bits of the field in MIB, i.e., pdcch-ConfigSIB1, isutilized to indicate the search space configuration of the PDCCH ofRMSI, where the configurations are determined based on multiplexingpattern, and the configuration on the SFN, slot, and symbol that thesearch space locates is specified.

In one embodiment, when there are 2 search space sets per slot, thelocation of the second search space can be starting from the beginningof the second half slot (e.g., symbol index 7 for normal CP and symbolindex 6 for extended CP). For example, for a given group offset O, whenthe number of search space set per slot is 2, and M=½, the first symbolindex of search space can be 0 if SS/PBCH block index is even and X ifSS/PBCH block index is odd, wherein X=7 for normal CP and X=6 forextended CP.

In one example, for NRU-sub7, if the maximum number of SS/PBCH blockscan be 8 and the associated SCS can be 60 kHz, the total transmissionduration of the burst set can be confined within 1 ms within the halfframe. In this case, the group offset value (e.g. value O in the table),can be either revised and/or added by another two values 1 ms and 6 ms.For example, the configuration table of parameters for PDCCH monitoringoccasions can be as in TABLE 35A, wherein O and M are parameters usedfor calculating the SFN and slot of the PDCCH monitoring occasions, i isthe SS/PBCH block index, and l is the number of symbols for CORESET. Inone sub-example, a subset of the indices in TABLE 35A can be utilized toindicate the search space configuration, e.g. indices with 1, 5, 9, and13 are not supported (i.e., the ones with first symbol as X for SS/PBCHblock index i as odd are not supported, and a particular example is asin TABLE 35B). In this example, X=7 for normal CP and X=6 for extendedCP.

TABLE 35A A subset of the indices Number of search First symbol index ofsearch Index O space sets per slot M space 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 1/2 {0, if iis even}, {X, if i is odd} 2 0 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd}3 0 1 2 0 4 1 1 1 0 5 1 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {X, if i is odd} 6 1 21/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 7 1 1 2 0 8 5 1 1 0 9 5 2 1/2{0, if i is even}, {X, if i is odd} 10 5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, ifi is odd} 11 5 1 2 0 12 6 1 1 0 13 6 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {X, if iis odd} 14 6 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 15 6 1 2 0

TABLE 35B A subset of the indices Number of search space First symbolindex of search Index O sets per slot M space 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 1/2 {0, ifi is even}, {l, if i is odd} 2 0 1 2 0 3 1 1 1 0 4 1 2 1/2 {0, if i iseven}, {l, if i is odd} 5 1 1 2 0 6 5 1 1 0 7 5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even},{l, if i is odd} 8 5 1 2 0 9 6 1 1 0 10 6 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l,if i is odd} 11 6 1 2 0 12 Reserved 13 Reserved 14 Reserved 15 Reserved

In another example, for NRU-sub7, if the combination of the maximumnumber of SS/PBCH blocks and the associated SCS cannot be 16 and 60 kHz,respectively, the total transmission duration of the burst set can beconfined within 2 ms within the half frame, and the same configurationtable as NR FR1 for multiplexing pattern 1 can be reused for NRU-sub7.

In yet another example, for NRU-sub7, if the maximum number of SS/PBCHblocks can be 4 and the associated SCS can be 60 kHz, the totaltransmission duration of the burst set can be confined within 0.5 mswithin the half frame. In this case, the group offset value (e.g. valueO in the table), can be either revised and/or added by another twovalues 0.5 ms and 5.5 ms. For example, the configuration table ofparameters for PDCCH monitoring occasions can be as in TABLE 36A,wherein O and M are parameters used for calculating the SFN and slot ofthe PDCCH monitoring occasions, i is the SS/PBCH block index, and l isthe number of symbols for CORESET. In one sub-example, a subset of theindices in TABLE 36A can be utilized to indicate the search spaceconfiguration, e.g. indices with 1, 5, 9, and 13 are not supported(i.e., the ones with first symbol as X for SS/PBCH block index i as oddare not supported, and a particular example is as in TABLE 36B). In thisexample, X=7 for normal CP and X=6 for extended CP.

TABLE 36A A subset of the indices Number of search First symbol index ofsearch Index O space sets per slot M space 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 1/2 {0, if iis even}, {X, if i is odd} 2 0 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd}3 0 1 2 0 4 0.5 1 1 0 5 0.5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {X, if i is odd} 60.5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 7 0.5 1 2 0 8 5 1 1 0 9 52 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {X, if i is odd} 10 5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even},{l, if i is odd} 11 5 1 2 0 12 5.5 1 1 0 13 5.5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even},{X, if i is odd} 14 5.5 2 1/2 {0, if i is even}, {l, if i is odd} 15 5.51 2 0

TABLE 36B A subset of the indices Number of search space First symbolindex of search Index O sets per slot M space 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 1/2 {0, ifi is even}, {l, if i is odd} 2 0 1 2 0 3 0.5 1 1 0 4 0.5 2 1/2 {0, if iis even}, {l, if i is odd} 5 0.5 1 2 0 6 5 1 1 0 7 5 2 1/2 {0, if i iseven}, {l, if i is odd} 8 5 1 2 0 9 5.5 1 1 0 10 5.5 2 1/2 {0, if i iseven}, {l, if i is odd} 11 5.5 1 2 0 12 Reserved 13 Reserved 14 Reserved15 Reserved

In one embodiment, 1 reserved bit in PBCH payload can be utilized toindicate the detected cell-defining SS/PBCH block is on licensed orunlicensed spectrum (e.g., equivalent as indicating the SS raster isassociated with a licensed or unlicensed spectrum). This indication canhelp a UE to distinguish band number when there is an overlappingbandwidth between a licensed band and an unlicensed band, e.g., indifferent geography regions.

In one sub-embodiment, this indication using 1 reserved bit can be usedfor distinguishing NR FR1 and NRU-sub7 only, since this is onlyfrequency range that may have an overlapping bandwidth between alicensed band and an unlicensed band, and no indication is neededbetween NR FR2 and NRU.

The indication of licensed or unlicensed band can facilitate determiningthe content of other fields in PBCH payload as well. For example, byindicating the band is a NR licensed band, the candidate values forsubCarrierSpacingCommon can refer to {15 kHz, 30 kHz}, and by indicatingthe band is a NR unlicensed band, the candidate values forsubCarrierSpacingCommon can refer to {30 kHz, 60 kHz}. For anotherexample, if a maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks is 8 for both NR FR1 andNRU-sub7, by indicating the band is a NR unlicensed band, the UE can useTABLE 35A or TABLE 35B as the configuration table of parameters forPDCCH monitoring occasions (or equivalent as indicating O=1 or 6), ifthe maximum number of SS/PBCH block is 8, and by indicating the band isa NR licensed band, the UE can use the same configuration table ofparameters for PDCCH monitoring occasions as in NR FR1 (or equivalent asindicating O=2 or 7).

NR supports short PRACH preamble formats of length L_(RA)=139 withsubcarrier spacing of 15·2^(μ) kHz, wherein μ=0, 1, 2 or 3. Thesupported short PRACH preamble formats for NR are detailed in TABLE 37,wherein the constant κ=64, and the time unit for PRACH and CP length isT_(s)=1/(480 kHz*4096). Specifically, NR supports PRACH with SCS of 15kHz and 30 kHz for FR1, and 60 kHz and 120 kHz for FR2.

TABLE 37 Short PRACH preamble format Preamble Support for sequence PRACHPRACH restricted Format length SCS length CP length sets A1 139 15 ·2^(μ) kHz 2 · 2048κ · 2^(−μ) 288κ · 2^(−μ) — A2 139 15 · 2^(μ) kHz 4 ·2048κ · 2^(−μ) 576κ · 2^(−μ) — A3 139 15 · 2^(μ) kHz 6 · 2048κ · 2^(−μ)864κ · 2^(−μ) — B1 139 15 · 2^(μ) kHz 2 · 2048κ · 2^(−μ) 216κ · 2^(−μ) —B2 139 15 · 2^(μ) kHz 4 · 2048κ · 2^(−μ) 360κ · 2^(−μ) — B3 139 15 ·2^(μ) kHz 6 · 2048κ · 2^(−μ) 504κ · 2^(−μ) — B4 139 15 · 2^(μ) kHz 12 ·2048κ · 2^(−μ)  936κ · 2^(−μ) — C0 139 15 · 2^(μ) kHz   2048κ · 2^(−μ)1240κ · 2^(−μ)  — C2 139 15 · 2^(μ) kHz 4 · 2048κ · 2^(−μ) 2048κ ·2^(−μ) 

In one embodiment, for NRU-sub 7, PRACH formats with 60 kHz SCS can besupported. In one sub-embodiment, the PRACH formats with 60 kHz SCS forNRU-sub 7 can use the same sequence generation procedure, same number ofPRACH preamble symbols, and same PRACH preamble CP length, as the PRACHpreamble formats with 60 kHz SCS in NR. For example, NRU-sub 7 cansupport the NR PRACH formats with at least one of formats A1, A2, A3,B1, B2, B3, B4, C0, and C2 in TABLE 37 with μ=2, using the same sequencegeneration process, same number of PRACH preamble symbols, and samePRACH preamble CP length.

Supporting 60 kHz SCS for PRACH in NRU-sub 7 may lead to a faster PRACHprocedure, easier to comply with the occupied channel bandwidth (OCB)regulation, and good compatibility with the 60 kHz SCS for SS/PBCH block(e.g., for the association between SS/PBCH block and PRACH occasion).However, since NR only supports 15 kHz and 30 kHz SCS for PRACH preamblein FR1, enhancements are needed to support 60 kHz PRACH SCS for NRU-sub7.

One important design consideration is the supported combination of PRACHpreamble SCS and PUSCH SCS. In particular, NR only supports PUSCH SCS of60 kHz and 120 kHz, when the PRACH SCS is 60 kHz, both of which aredefined FR2.

In one embodiment, NRU-sub 7 can support the combination of PRACH with60 kHz SCS and PUSCH with 60 kHz SCS, similar to NR. In this case, theresource block (RB) allocation for PRACH preamble expressed in thenumber of RBs for PUSCH is 12.

In another embodiment, NRU-sub 7 can also support the combination ofPRACH with 60 kHz SCS, and PUSCH with 30 kHz SCS. In this case, the RBallocation for PRACH preamble expressed in the number of RBs for PUSCHis 24.

In yet another embodiment, NRU-sub 7 can also support the combination ofPRACH with 60 kHz SCS, and PUSCH with 15 kHz SCS. In this case, the RBallocation for PRACH preamble expressed in number of RBs for PUSCH is48.

The supported combination of PRACH SCS and PUSCH SCS also affects theOFDM baseband signal generation for PRACH, through parameter k. In oneembodiment, k can be 2 when PRACH SCS is 60 kHz for NRU-sub 7, and PUSCHSCS is one of {60, 30, 15} kHz. Therefore, in one embodiment, inaddition to supporting the combinations of PRACH SCS and PUSCH SCS asdefined in NR, NRU-sub 7 can also support one or multiple of thecombinations in TABLE 38.

TABLE 38 Combination of parameters PRACH PRACH expressed preamble PRACHSCS PUSCH SCS in number sequence length (kHz) (kHz) of RBs for PUSCH k139 60 60 12 2 139 60 30 24 2 139 60 15 48 2

In NR, the PRACH preamble subcarrier spacing is configured by higherlayer through the RRC parameter msg1-SubcarriserSpacing, which onlysupports values of 15 kHz and 30 kHz for FR1 (sub-6 GHz). Therefore,another design consideration is how NRU-sub 7 configures PRACH preambleSCS of 60 kHz.

In one embodiment, the PRACH preamble SCS of NRU-sub 7 can be configuredby RRC layer through the RRC parameter, which can support values of {15kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz} for sub 7 GHz NR-U. In this case, the RRC layer canindicate the UE to use 60 kHz SCS PRACH explicitly through higher layerparameter.

In another embodiment, NRU-sub 7 can reuse the same RRC parameter as inNR that configures the PRACH SCS, which supports values of 15 kHz and 30kHz; while the UE can determine to use PRACH with 60 kHz SCS, if theSS/PBCH block that the PRACH is associated with also has SCS of 60 kHz,otherwise UE determines PRACH SCS through the RRC layer configuration,which can be either 15 kHz or 30 kHz. In this case, the 60 kHz SCS forNRU-sub 7 is determined implicitly.

Another design consideration is how to determine the PRACH time-domainresource, when NRU-sub 7 uses 60 kHz SCS. In NR, the PRACH time-domainresource is determined by the RRC parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex andthe corresponding PRACH configuration table, from which the preambleformat, PRACH configuration period, SFN mod configuration period, startsymbol index, number of PRACH slots within a subframe (for NR FR1),number of time domain PRACH occasions within a RACH slot, and PRACHduration can be determined. In particular, since NR only supports SCS of15 kHz and 30 kHz for PRACH, the “number of PRACH slots within asubframe” for PRACH configuration table can only take values of 1 or 2.By contrast, for NRU-sub 7 with 60 kHz PRACH SCS, the number of PRACHslots within a subframe can be up to 4. The following options arepossible to indicate the time-domain resource for NRU-sub 7 with 60 kHzSCS from the PRACH configuration table.

In one embodiment, NRU-sub 7 can reuse the same PRACH configuration(e.g., preamble format, PRACH configuration period, SFN modconfiguration period, start symbol index, number of PRACH slots within asubframe, and PRACH duration) as in the PRACH configuration table forNRFR1, while the PRACH slots to use can be determined explicitly fromthe entry “number of PRACH slots within a subframe” when the PRACH SCSis 60 kHz.

In one sub-embodiment, when PRACH SCS is 60 kHz and “number of PRACHslots within a subframe” is 1 from the PRACH configuration table, out ofthe 4 slots of 60 kHz SCS within the subframe which are indexed by 0, 1,2, and 3, one slot can be used for PRACH, whose index can be chosen fromone of the following {0, 1, 2, 3}. In another sub-embodiment, when PRACHSCS is 60 kHz and “number of PRACH slots within a subframe” is 2 fromthe PRACH configuration table, out of the 4 slots of 60 kHz SCS withinthe subframe which are indexed by 0, 1, 2, and 3, two slots can be usedby PRACH, whose indexes can be chosen from one of the following {(0,1),(1,2), (2,3), (0,2), (0,3), (1,3)}.

In another sub-embodiment, this option does not require modifying thePRACH configuration table contents of NR FR1, except that the PRACHconfiguration index may be re-arranged, and/or the number ofconfiguration indexes can be decreased if only short PRACH preambleformats are supported. In another sub-embodiment, the naming of theentries in the PRACH configuration table may be modified for NRU-sub 7,as long as similar meanings are preserved.

In another embodiment, NRU-sub 7 can modify the “number of PRACH slotswithin a subframe” entry in PRACH configuration table for NR FR1, intoreferring to the “number of PRACH slots within a slot of 30 kHz”. In onesub-embodiment, when PRACH SCS is 60 kHz and “number of PRACH slotswithin a slot of 30 kHz” is 1 from the PRACH configuration table, out ofthe 2 60 kHz slots within a 30 kHz slot, one 60 kHz slot can be used forPRACH, which can be either the first or second 60 kHz slot within the 30kHz slot. In another sub-embodiment, when PRACH SCS is 60 kHz and“number of PRACH slots within a slot of 30 kHz” is 2 from the PRACHconfiguration table, both 60 kHz slots within the 30 kHz slot are used.

In yet another sub-embodiment, the “subframe number” entry in the PRACHconfiguration table of NR FR1 can be changed into “slot number” whereinthe slot is of 30 kHz SCS. In particular, for “subframe number” entrythat reads as {n_0, n_1, . . . , n_m} in PRACH configuration table of NRFR1, the “slot number” entry for NRU-sub 7 can be correspondinglychanged into {n_0, n_1, . . . , n_m, n_0+10, n_1+10, . . . , n_m+10}.

In yet another sub-embodiment, PRACH SCS of 15 kHz can be eitherun-supported for NRU-sub 7 in this case; or if PRACH SCS of 15 kHz issupported, the slot(s) indicated in the “slot number” entry may beutilized for PRACH of 15 kHz SCS, irrespective of the “number of PRACHslots within a slot of 30 kHz” entry. In another sub-embodiment, thenaming of the entries in the PRACH configuration table may be modifiedfor NRU-sub 7, as long as similar meanings are preserved.

In yet another embodiment, NRU-sub 7 can add additional entries to thePRACH configuration table of NR FR1, to indicate PRACH time-domainresources for 60 kHz SCS, wherein the number of PRACH slots within asubframe can be up to 4. In one sub-embodiment, when PRACH SCS is 60 kHzand “number of PRACH slots within a subframe” is 1 from the PRACHconfiguration table, out of the 4 slots within the subframe which areindexed by 0, 1, 2, and 3, 1 slot can be used for PRACH, whose index canbe chosen from one of the following {0, 1, 2, 3}.

In another sub-embodiment, when PRACH SCS is 60 kHz and “number of PRACHslots within a subframe” is 2 from the PRACH configuration table, out ofthe 4 slots within the subframe which are indexed by 0, 1, 2, and 3, 2slots can be used by PRACH, whose indexes can be chosen from one of thefollowing {(0, 1), (1,2), (2,3), (0,2), (0,3), (1,3)}. In anothersub-embodiment, when PRACH SCS is 60 kHz and “number of PRACH slotswithin a subframe” is 3 from the PRACH configuration table, out of the 4slots within the subframe which are indexed by 0, 1, 2, and 3, 3 slotscan be used for PRACH, whose index can be chosen from one of thefollowing {(0, 1, 2), (0,1,3), (0,2,3), (1,2,3)}.

In another sub-embodiment, when PRACH SCS is 60 kHz and “number of PRACHslots within a subframe” is 4 from the PRACH configuration table, allthe 4 slots of 60 kHz SCS can be used by PRACH. In anothersub-embodiment, the naming of the entries in the PRACH configurationtable may be modified for NRU-sub 7, as long as similar meanings arepreserved. As an example, besides supporting the PRACH configurationtable of NR FR1, NRU-sub 7 can add a subset or all of the additionalentries as shown in TABLE 39, wherein the number of PRACH slots within asubframe can be 3 or 4. In addition, the PRACH configuration period,subframe number, and starting symbol as shown in TABLE 39 can bemodified to support 60 kHz PRACH SCS of NRU-sub 7.

TABLE 39 PRACH Configuration table Number of Number of time- PRACH PRACHslots domain PRACH Configuration Preamble n_(SFN) mod x = y Startingwithin a occasions within PRACH Index format x y Subframe number symbolsubframe a RACH slot duration 1 A1 16 1 9 0 4 6 2 2 A1 8 1 9 0 4 6 2 3A1 4 1 9 0 3 6 2 4 A1 2 1 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 0 3 6 2 5 A1 2 1 8, 9 0 4 6 26 A1 2 1 7, 9 0 3 6 2 7 A1 2 1 7, 9 7 3 3 2 8 A1 2 1 4, 9 7 3 3 2 9 A1 21 4, 9 0 4 6 2 10 A1 2 1 9 0 3 6 2 11 A1 1 0 9 0 4 6 2 12 A1 1 0 9 7 3 32 13 A1 1 0 9 0 3 6 2 14 A1 1 0 8, 9 0 4 6 2 15 A1 1 0 4, 9 0 3 6 2 16A1 1 0 7, 9 7 3 3 2 17 A1 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 0 3 6 2 18 A1 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 04 6 2 19 A1 1 0 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 7 3 3 2 20 A1 1 0 1, 3, 5,7, 9 0 3 6 2 21 A2 16 1 9 0 4 3 4 22 A2 16 1 4, 9 0 4 3 4 23 A2 8 1 9 04 3 4 24 A2 8 1 4, 9 0 4 3 4 25 A2 4 1 9 0 3 3 4 26 A2 2 1 8, 9 0 4 3 427 A2 2 1 7, 9 9 3 1 4 28 A2 2 1 4, 9 9 3 1 4 29 A2 2 1 4, 9 0 4 3 4 30A2 2 1 9 0 3 3 4 31 A2 1 0 9 0 4 3 4 32 A2 1 0 9 9 3 1 4 33 A2 1 0 9 0 33 4 34 A2 1 0 8, 9 0 4 3 4 35 A2 1 0 4, 9 0 3 3 4 36 A2 1 0 7, 9 9 3 1 437 A2 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 0 3 3 4 38 A2 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 0 4 3 4 39 A2 1 0 0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 9 3 1 4 40 A2 1 0 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 0 3 3 4 41 A316 1 9 0 4 2 6 42 A3 8 1 9 0 4 2 6 43 A3 4 1 9 0 3 2 6 44 A3 2 1 2, 3,4, 7, 8, 9 0 3 2 6 45 A3 2 1 8, 9 0 4 2 6 46 A3 2 1 7, 9 0 3 2 6 47 A3 21 7, 9 7 3 1 6 48 A3 2 1 4, 9 7 3 1 6 49 A3 2 1 4, 9 0 4 2 6 50 A3 2 1 90 3 2 6 51 A3 1 0 9 0 4 2 6 52 A3 1 0 9 7 3 1 6 53 A3 1 0 9 0 3 2 6 54A3 1 0 8, 9 0 4 2 6 55 A3 1 0 4, 9 0 3 2 6 56 A3 1 0 7, 9 7 3 1 6 57 A31 0 3, 4, 8, 9 0 3 2 6 58 A3 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 0 4 2 6 59 A3 1 0 0, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 7 3 1 6 60 A3 1 0 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 0 3 2 6 61 B1 16 1 92 4 6 2 62 B1 8 1 9 2 4 6 2 63 B1 4 1 9 2 3 6 2 64 B1 2 1 2, 3, 4, 7, 8,9 2 3 6 2 65 B1 2 1 8, 9 2 4 6 2 66 B1 2 1 7, 9 2 3 6 2 67 B1 2 1 7, 9 83 3 2 68 B1 2 1 4, 9 8 3 3 2 69 B1 2 1 4, 9 2 4 6 2 70 B1 2 1 9 2 3 6 271 B1 1 0 9 2 4 6 2 72 B1 1 0 9 8 3 3 2 73 B1 1 0 9 2 3 6 2 74 B1 1 0 8,9 2 4 6 2 75 B1 1 0 4, 9 2 3 6 2 76 B1 1 0 7, 9 8 3 3 2 77 B1 1 0 3, 4,8, 9 2 3 6 2 78 B1 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 2 4 6 2 79 B1 1 0 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9 8 3 3 2 80 B1 1 0 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 2 3 6 2 81 B4 16 1 9 0 4 1 12 82B4 8 1 9 0 4 1 12 83 B4 4 1 9 2 3 1 12 84 B4 2 1 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 0 3 112 85 B4 2 1 8, 9 0 4 1 12 86 B4 2 1 7, 9 2 3 1 12 87 B4 2 1 4, 9 2 3 112 88 B4 2 1 4, 9 0 4 1 12 89 B4 2 1 9 2 3 1 12 90 B4 1 0 9 0 4 1 12 91B4 1 0 9 2 3 1 12 92 B4 1 0 8, 9 0 4 1 12 93 B4 1 0 4, 9 2 3 1 12 94 B41 0 7, 9 2 3 1 12 95 B4 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 2 3 1 12 96 B4 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 0 41 12 97 B4 1 0 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 2 3 1 12 98 B4 1 0 1, 3, 5,7, 9 2 3 1 12 99 A1/B1 2 1 8, 9 2 4 6 2 100 A1/B1 2 1 7, 9 2 3 6 2 101A1/B1 2 1 7, 9 8 3 3 2 102 A1/B1 2 1 4, 9 8 3 3 2 103 A1/B1 2 1 4, 9 2 46 2 104 A1/B1 2 1 9 2 3 6 2 105 A1/B1 1 0 9 2 4 6 2 106 A1/B1 1 0 9 8 33 2 107 A1/B1 1 0 9 2 3 6 2 108 A1/B1 1 0 8, 9 2 4 6 2 109 A1/B1 1 0 4,9 2 3 6 2 110 A1/B1 1 0 7, 9 8 3 3 2 111 A1/B1 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 2 4 6 2112 A1/B1 1 0 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 8 3 3 2 113 A1/B1 1 0 1, 3,5, 7, 9 2 3 6 2 114 A2/B2 2 1 8, 9 0 4 3 4 115 A2/B2 2 1 7, 9 6 3 2 4116 A2/B2 2 1 4, 9 6 3 2 4 117 A2/B2 2 1 4, 9 0 4 3 4 118 A2/B2 2 1 9 03 3 4 119 A2/B2 1 0 9 0 4 3 4 120 A2/B2 1 0 9 6 3 2 4 121 A2/B2 1 0 9 03 3 4 122 A2/B2 1 0 8, 9 0 4 3 4 123 A2/B2 1 0 4, 9 0 3 3 4 124 A2/B2 10 7, 9 6 3 2 4 125 A2/B2 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 0 3 3 4 126 A2/B2 1 0 3, 4, 8, 90 4 3 4 127 A2/B2 1 0 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 6 3 2 4 128 A2/B2 1 01, 3, 5, 7, 9 0 4 3 4 129 A3/B3 2 1 8, 9 0 4 2 6 130 A3/B3 2 1 7, 9 0 32 6 131 A3/B3 2 1 7, 9 2 3 2 6 132 A3/B3 2 1 4, 9 2 3 2 6 133 A3/B3 2 14, 9 0 4 2 6 134 A3/B3 2 1 9 0 3 2 6 135 A3/B3 1 0 9 0 4 2 6 136 A3/B3 10 9 2 3 2 6 137 A3/B3 1 0 9 0 3 2 6 138 A3/B3 1 0 8, 9 0 4 2 6 139 A3/B31 0 4, 9 0 3 2 6 140 A3/B3 1 0 7, 9 2 3 2 6 141 A3/B3 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 0 42 6 142 A3/B3 1 0 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 2 3 2 6 143 A3/B3 1 0 1,3, 5, 7, 9 0 3 2 6 144 C0 16 1 9 2 4 6 2 145 C0 8 1 9 2 4 6 2 146 C0 4 19 2 3 6 2 147 C0 2 1 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 2 3 6 2 148 C0 2 1 8, 9 2 4 6 2149 C0 2 1 7, 9 2 3 6 2 150 C0 2 1 7, 9 8 3 3 2 151 C0 2 1 4, 9 8 3 3 2152 C0 2 1 4, 9 2 4 6 2 153 C0 2 1 9 2 3 6 2 154 C0 1 0 9 2 4 6 2 155 C01 0 9 8 3 3 2 156 C0 1 0 9 2 3 6 2 157 C0 1 0 8, 9 2 4 6 2 158 C0 1 0 4,9 2 3 6 2 159 C0 1 0 7, 9 8 3 3 2 160 C0 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 2 3 6 2 161 C0 10 3, 4, 8, 9 2 4 6 2 162 C0 1 0 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 8 3 3 2 163C0 1 0 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 2 3 6 2 164 C2 16 1 9 2 4 2 6 165 C2 8 1 9 2 4 2 6166 C2 4 1 9 2 3 2 6 167 C2 2 1 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 2 3 2 6 168 C2 2 1 8, 92 4 2 6 169 C2 2 1 7, 9 2 3 2 6 170 C2 2 1 7, 9 8 3 1 6 171 C2 2 1 4, 98 3 1 6 172 C2 2 1 4, 9 2 4 2 6 173 C2 2 1 9 2 3 2 6 174 C2 1 0 9 2 4 26 175 C2 1 0 9 8 3 1 6 176 C2 1 0 9 2 3 2 6 177 C2 1 0 8, 9 2 4 2 6 178C2 1 0 4, 9 2 3 2 6 179 C2 1 0 7, 9 8 3 1 6 180 C2 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 2 3 26 181 C2 1 0 3, 4, 8, 9 2 4 2 6 182 C2 1 0 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 98 3 1 6 183 C2 1 0 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 2 3 2 6 184 C2 8 1 9 8 4 1 6 185 C2 4 19 8 3 1 6

Another design consideration is how to determine the PRACHfrequency-domain resource, when NRU-sub 7 uses 60 kHz SCS. For NR, thefrequency resources to transmit PRACH preambles can be determined fromparameter prach-FDM, which gives the number of FDM'ed PRACH occasions inone time instance, with supported values of {1, 2, 4, 8}; as well asprach-frequency-start, which provides offset of the lowest PRACHtransmission occasion in frequency domain with respect to PRB 0 of theUL BWP. For NR-U, even with 60 kHz SCS, the PRACH preamble with 12consecutive RBs is up to 8.64 MHz bandwidth, which may need furtherenhancements to satisfy the OCB regulation. In one example, NRU-sub 7PRACH fulfill the OCB regulation through proper resource allocation infrequency domain within certain bandwidth, wherein the bandwidth can bethe initial active UL BWP, while PRACH in frequency domain can followinterlaced, interleaved, or direction repetition type of resourceallocations.

In one embodiment, for NRU-sub 7, the frequency resource to transmitPRACH preambles can be at least partially determined from parameterprach-FDM and prach-frequency-start, with similar definitions of NR FR1.In one sub-embodiment, prach-FDM can support values of {1, 2, 4, 8} sameas NR FR1. In another sub-embodiment, prach-FDM can support a subset ofvalues of {1, 2, 4, 8}, such as {1, 2} or {1, 2, 4}. In anothersub-embodiment, prach-FDM can support different values from NR. Inanother sub-embodiment, when NR-U PRACH is enhanced throughinterlace/repetition-type of resource allocation in frequency domain,the lowest frequency resource of the interlace/repetition to transmitPRACH preambles can be determined from the parameter prach-FDM andprach-frequency-start.

In one embodiment, for NRU-sub 7, the OCB regulation can be fulfilled byusing 60 kHz SCS and allocating multiple FDM'ed PRACH occasions to a UEwithin the initial active UL BWP. For example, with 60 kHz SCS forPRACH, 2 FDM'ed PRACH occasions, OCB regulation can be fulfilled forinitial active UL BWP of 20 MHz.

In another embodiment, when NR-U PRACH is enhanced to fulfill the OCBregulation through interlaced, interleaved, or direction repetition typeof resource allocations, the remaining frequency resources to transmitPRACH preamble can be determined either explicitly through introducingnew higher layer parameters to indicate the structure ofinterlace/repetition; or implicitly through existing L1 or higher layerparameters (e.g., prach-FDM, prach-frequency-start, initial active ULBWP bandwidth, etc.), and some pre-defined mapping rules that map theseparameters to the structure/allocation of the interlaces/repetitions forNRU-sub 7 PRACH resources in frequency domain.

The unlicensed spectrum can be operated in a license assisted accessmode, e.g., non-standalone mode, and the numerology of SS/PBCH block fornon-standalone mode can be configured by higher layer. For example, forsub-7 unlicensed band operated in a non-standalone mode, the numerologyof SS/PBCH block can be configurable from {15 kHz SCS with NCP, 30 kHzSCS with NCP, 60 kHz SCS with NCP, 60 kHz with ECP}, or a subset of {15kHz SCS with NCP, 30 kHz SCS with NCP, 60 kHz SCS with NCP, 60 kHz withECP}. For another example, for sub-7 unlicensed band operated in anon-standalone mode, the numerology of SS/PBCH block can be fixed as 60kHz SCS with NCP. For yet another example, for sub-7 unlicensed bandoperated in a non-standalone mode, the numerology of SS/PBCH block canbe fixed as 60 kHz SCS with ECP.

In one embodiment, the SS/PBCH block in non-standalone mode is the sameas the standalone mode. The reserved symbols, originally formultiplexing the CORESET of RMSI/OSI/paging can be utilized fortransmitting configured CSI-RS or reserved for LBT, or truncated.

FIG. 33 illustrates an example BW of SS/PBCH block 3300 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the BW ofSS/PBCH block 3300 illustrated in FIG. 33 is for illustration only. FIG.33 does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In one example, to avoid the ambiguity of timing in the initial access,the SS/PBCH block for non-standalone mode is not transmitted on thepredefined synchronization rasters.

In another example, to maximize the channel occupancy of SS/PBCH block,the BW of SS/PBCH block can be enlarged from 20 to 24 PRBs. Examplesillustrating the enlarging of the BW of SS/PBCH block are shown in FIG.33.

In one example, (e.g., 3301 in FIG. 33), the RBs mapped to the two sidesof SSS in the standalone SS/PBCH block are mapped to symbols containingPBCH such that the BW of PBCH is 24 RBs.

In one example (e.g., 3302 in FIG. 33), add another 2 RBs mapped forPBCH to each side of the symbols containing PBCH or SSS in thestandalone SS/PBCH block such that the BW of PBCH is 24 RBs.

In one example (e.g., 3303 in FIG. 33), on top of the modification in3301, the SSS is mapped in an interleaving way (e.g. mapped to REs witheven index or odd index only) such that the BW of PBCH and SSS are both24 RBs.

In one example (e.g., 3304 in FIG. 33), on top of the modification in3303, the PSS is mapped in an interleaving way (e.g. mapped to REs witheven index or odd index only) such that the BW of PSS, SSS, and PBCH areall 24 RBs.

In another embodiment, the SS/PBCH block in non-standalone mode isdifferent from the standalone mode.

In one example, a SS/PBCH block contains only SSS and PBCH (includingSS/PBCH block's associated DMRS), and no PSS is in the SS/PBCH block fornon-standalone mode. For example, the SS/PBCH block for non-standalonemode is the one for standalone mode with symbol for PSS truncated, suchthat there are only 3 consecutive symbols consisting the block.

In another example, to avoid the ambiguity of timing in the initialaccess, the SS/PBCH block for non-standalone mode is not transmitted onthe predefined synchronization rasters.

FIG. 34 illustrates another example BW of SS/PBCH block 3400 accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the BW ofSS/PBCH block 3400 illustrated in FIG. 34 is for illustration only. FIG.34 does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

In yet another example, to maximize the channel occupancy of SS/PBCHblock, the BW of SS/PBCH block can be enlarged from 20 to 24 PRBs.Examples illustrating the enlarging of the BW of SS/PBCH block are shownin FIG. 34.

In one example (e.g., 3401 in FIG. 34), the RBs mapped to the two sidesof SSS in the standalone SS/PBCH block are mapped to symbols containingPBCH such that the BW of PBCH is 24 RBs.

In one example, (e.g., 3402 in FIG. 34), add another 2 RBs mapped forPBCH to each side of the symbols containing PBCH or SSS in thestandalone SS/PBCH block such that the BW of PBCH is 24 RBs.

In one example, (e.g., 3403 in FIG. 34) on top of the modification in3401, the SSS is mapped in an interleaving way (e.g. mapped to REs witheven index or odd index only) such that the BW of PBCH and SSS are both24 RBs.

In one example, the mapping of SS/PBCH blocks for non-standalone mode tothe slot(s) can be predefined, wherein each SS/PBCH block contains 3consecutive symbols (either with 20 RBs BW or 24 RBs BW).

In one example, the mapping of symbols for SSS and PBCH can be same asthe mapping pattern in standalone mode, and the symbol mapped for PSS inthe standalone mode can be used for other purpose, such as at least oneof performing LBT, or transmitting configured CSI-RS.

FIG. 35 illustrates an example mapping of SS/PBCH block 3500 accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the mappingof SS/PBCH block 3500 illustrated in FIG. 35 is for illustration only.FIG. 35 does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particularimplementation.

FIG. 36 illustrates another example mapping of SS/PBCH block 3600according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment ofthe mapping of SS/PBCH block 3600 illustrated in FIG. 36 is forillustration only. FIG. 36 does not limit the scope of this disclosureto any particular implementation.

FIG. 37 illustrates yet another example mapping of SS/PBCH block 3700according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment ofthe mapping of SS/PBCH block 3700 illustrated in FIG. 37 is forillustration only. FIG. 37 does not limit the scope of this disclosureto any particular implementation.

In yet another embodiment, the mapping of SS/PBCH blocks fornon-standalone mode can be as compact as possible such that there is nogap between neighboring blocks within the burst, or no gap betweenneighboring blocks within a slot within the burst. Some examples areillustrated in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 for SS/PBCH blocks with 3 symbols,for normal CP and extended CP, respectively. Some extra examples areillustrated in FIG. 37 for SS/PBCH blocks with 4 symbols.

Other than using larger SCS for SS/PBCH block (SSB) to meet OCBrequirement of a carrier (e.g. using 60 kHz for FR1), there can be otherapproaches.

In one example, this approach can apply for non-standalone operation,wherein a SS/PBCH block without multiplexed other signal/channel cannotmeet OCB requirement. In another example, this approach can apply forPCells, and the PDCCH/PDSCH of broadcast information (e.g., RMSI) is notmultiplexed within the same slot as the SS/PBCH block. In yet anotherexample, this approach can apply for non-cell defining SS/PBCH blocks(e.g., the indication is in the PBCH of the SS/PBCH block).

FIG. 38A illustrates an example location of SS/PBCH blocks 3800according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment ofthe location of SS/PBCH blocks 3800 illustrated in FIG. 38A is forillustration only. FIG. 38A does not limit the scope of this disclosureto any particular implementation.

In one example, there can be multiple SS/PBCH blocks FDMed within acarrier to meet the OCB requirement, for example, two SS/PBCH blockswith SCS of 30 kHz to meet the OCB requirement of a carrier with 20 MHzBW. An illustration of this approach is shown in FIG. 38A.

In one example of the locations of multiple SS/PBCH blocks, the multipleSS/PBCH blocks are located apart from each other such that the OCBrequirement can be satisfied (e.g., there can be potential gaps betweenneighboring SS/PBCH blocks in frequency domain).

In another example of the locations of multiple SS/PBCH blocks, themultiple SS/PBCH blocks are located next to each other and the OCBrequirement can be satisfied (e.g. there is no gap between neighboringSS/PBCH blocks in frequency domain).

In one example of the cell ID on different SS/PBCH blocks, the multipleSS/PBCH blocks are using different cell IDs, such that the signals andchannels in different SS/PBCH blocks within the same band are different.

In another example of the cell ID on different SS/PBCH blocks, themultiple SS/PBCH blocks are using the same cell ID, such that thesignals and channels in different SS/PBCH blocks within the same bandare the same. From a UE's point of view, the multiple SS/PBCH blockstogether define a cell.

In one example, all the frequency locations for the multiple SS/PBCHblocks are on the SS rasters. In one consideration of this example,there is an indication of the location of another SS/PBCH block in thesame carrier. For example, the frequency location is expressed in a SSraster. For another example, the other SS/PBCH block with locationindicated is the neighboring SS/PBCH block.

In another example, only one of the multiple SS/PBCH blocks is on the SSraster, and the others may or may not be located on the SS raster. Forthis example, there is an indication of frequency locations of otherSS/PBCH blocks in the SS/PBCH block on the SS raster. For example, thefrequency location is expressed in a channel raster.

FIG. 38B illustrates another example location of SS/PBCH blocks 3850according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment ofthe location of SS/PBCH blocks 3850 illustrated in FIG. 38B is forillustration only. FIG. 38B does not limit the scope of this disclosureto any particular implementation.

In another approach, there can be multiple SS/PBCH blocks within acarrier, and some of the SS/PBCH blocks can be divided into multipleparts and multiplexed together in a FDM manner to meet the OCBrequirement, for example, a first SS/PBCH block with SCS of 30 kHz FDMedwith 2 parts of a second SS/PBCH block on each side of the first SS/PBCHblock to meet the OCB requirement of a carrier with 20 MHz BW. Anillustration of this approach is shown in FIG. 38B.

In one example of the frequency locations of multiple SS/PBCH blocks, atleast one of them is located on the SS raster for initial access purpose(e.g. Frequency location 1 in FIG. 38B).

In one example, there is an indication, in a SS/PBCH block, on thefrequency location of each part for other SS/PBCH bock (e.g. thefrequency location of SSB2 part 1 and part 2 in FIG. 38B).

In another example, there is an indication, in a SS/PBCH block, on thefrequency location of other SS/PBCH block, and single frequency locationindication is sufficient (e.g. the location of lowest RB or middle RB),since the BW of the other SS/PBCH block is fixed.

In yet another example, there is no indication of the frequency locationof other SS/PBCH block, and the relative location of the other SS/PBCHblock is fixed, e.g. SSB2 part 1 and part 2 both have 10 RB bandwidthand located on each side of SSB1 in FIG. 38B.

In one example of the cell ID on different SS/PBCH blocks, the multipleSS/PBCH blocks are using different cell IDs, such that the signals andchannels in different SS/PBCH blocks within the same band are different.

In another example of the cell ID on different SS/PBCH blocks, themultiple SS/PBCH blocks are using the same cell ID, such that thesignals and channels in different SS/PBCH blocks within the same bandare the same. From a UE's point of view, the multiple SS/PBCH blockstogether define a cell.

FIG. 39 illustrates a flow chart of a method 3900 for supporting largersubcarrier spacing, as may be performed by a base station (BS) (e.g.,101-103 as illustrated in FIG. 1) according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The embodiment of the method 3900 illustrated inFIG. 39 is for illustration only. FIG. 39 does not limit the scope ofthis disclosure to any particular implementation.

As illustrated in FIG. 39, the method 3900 begins at step 3902. In step3902, the BS configures an operation mode for synchronization signalsand physical broadcast channels (SS/PBCH) block as a first operationmode in which the SS/PBCH block is used on a licensed-assisted-access(LAA) secondary cell (Scell) or a second operation mode in which theSS/PBCH block is at least used on a primary cell (Pcell).

In one embodiment, the SS/PBCH block structure configured for the firstoperation mode is one symbol shorter than the SS/PBCH block structureconfigured for the second operation mode and a symbol mapped to aprimary synchronization signal (PSS) in the SS/PBCH block structureconfigured for the second operation mode is truncated in the SS/PBCHblock structure configured for the first operation mode.

In one embodiment, the SS/PBCH block time-domain mapping patternconfigured for the first operation mode includes consecutive symbols ina slot mapped to SS/PBCH blocks, the slot being mapped to at least morethan two SS/PBCH blocks and the SS/PBCH block time-domain mappingpattern configured for the second operation mode includesnon-consecutive symbols in a slot mapped to SS/PBCH blocks, the slotbeing mapped to up to two SS/PBCH blocks.

In such embodiments, for the SS/PBCH block time-domain mapping patternconfigured for the first operation mode, three SS/PBCH blocks are mappedto symbols 0, 4, and 7, respectively, as a start symbol in the slot whenthe SS/PBCH block structure is configured to include 4 symbols and fourSS/PBCH blocks are mapped to symbols 0, 3, 6, and 9, respectively, as astart symbol in the slot when the SS/PBCH block structure is configuredto include 3 symbols.

In some embodiment, in step 3902, the BS may further configure anumerology of the SS/PBCH block including a subcarrier spacing (SCS) forthe first and second set of parameters configured for the first andsecond operation mode respectively. In such embodiments, a first SCSconfigured for the SS/PBCH block in the first operation mode is largerthan a second SCS configured for the SS/PBCH block in the secondoperation mode, an SCS of 60 kHz is configured for the SS/PBCH block inthe first operation mode, and an SCS of 30 kHz is configured for theSS/PBCH block in the second operation mode.

In some embodiment, in step 3902, the BS may further comprisesconfiguring parameters of a control resource set (CORESET) formonitoring common search space (CSS) of a physical downlink controlchannel (PDCCH) including scheduling information for remaining minimumsystem information (RMSI) when the SS/PBCH block is configured in thesecond operation mode. In such embodiment, the parameters of the CORESETincludes at least one of an SCS of the CORESET that is the SCS of theSS/PBCH block, a bandwidth of the CORESET configured as 24, a number ofsymbols for the CORESET configured from 1, 2, or 3, and a frequencyoffset, configured from 0, 1, 2, or 3, between a first resource block(RB) of the CORESET and a first resource block of the SS/PBCH block.

In step 3904, the BS configures a set of parameters as a first set ofparameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of the SS/PBCHblock is configured as the first operation mode or a second set ofparameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of the SS/PBCHblock is configured as the second operation mode, wherein the first andsecond set of parameters include different information each other, theinformation comprising at least one of an SS/PBCH block structure or anSS/PBCH block time-domain mapping pattern.

In step 3906, the BS transmits, to a user equipment (UE), the SS/PBCHblock over downlink channels using the configured set of parametersbased on the configured operation mode.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplaryembodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

None of the description in this application should be read as implyingthat any particular element, step, or function is an essential elementthat must be included in the claims scope. The scope of patented subjectmatter is defined only by the claims. Moreover, none of the claims areintended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the exact words “means for”are followed by a participle.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communicationsystem, the UE comprising: a transceiver configured to receive, from abase station (BS), synchronization signals and physical broadcastchannels (SS/PBCH) block over downlink channels using a set ofparameters based on an operation mode, wherein: the operation mode isconfigured for the SS/PBCH block as a first operation mode in which theSS/PBCH block is used on a licensed-assisted-access (LAA) secondary cell(Scell) or a second operation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is atleast used on a primary cell (Pcell), the set of parameters isconfigured as a first set of parameters for the SS/PBCH block when theoperation mode of the SS/PBCH block is configured as the first operationmode or a second set of parameters for the SS/PBCH block when theoperation mode of the SS/PBCH block is configured as the secondoperation mode, and the first and second set of parameters includedifferent information from each other, the information comprising atleast one of an SS/PBCH block structure or an SS/PBCH block time-domainmapping pattern.
 2. The UE of claim 1, wherein: the SS/PBCH blockstructure configured for the first operation mode is one symbol shorterthan the SS/PBCH block structure configured for the second operationmode; and a symbol mapped to a primary synchronization signal (PSS) inthe SS/PBCH block structure configured for the second operation mode istruncated in the SS/PBCH block structure configured for the firstoperation mode.
 3. The UE of claim 1, wherein: the SS/PBCH blocktime-domain mapping pattern configured for the first operation modeincludes consecutive symbols in a slot mapped to SS/PBCH blocks, theslot being mapped to at least more than two SS/PBCH blocks; and theSS/PBCH block time-domain mapping pattern configured for the secondoperation mode includes non-consecutive symbols in a slot mapped toSS/PBCH blocks, the slot being mapped to up to two SS/PBCH blocks. 4.The UE of claim 3, wherein, for the SS/PBCH block time-domain mappingpattern configured for the first operation mode: three SS/PBCH blocksare mapped to symbols 0, 4, and 7, respectively, as a start symbol inthe slot when the SS/PBCH block structure is configured to include 4symbols; and four SS/PBCH blocks are mapped to symbols 0, 3, 6, and 9,respectively, as a start symbol in the slot when the SS/PBCH blockstructure is configured to include 3 symbols.
 5. The UE of claim 1,further comprising at least one processor operably connected to thetransceiver, the at least one processor configured to determine anumerology of the SS/PBCH block including a subcarrier spacing (SCS) forthe first and second set of parameters configured for the first andsecond operation mode respectively, and wherein a first SCS configuredfor the SS/PBCH block in the first operation mode is larger than asecond SCS configured for the SS/PBCH block in the second operationmode.
 6. The UE of claim 5, wherein an SCS of 60 kHz is configured forthe SS/PBCH block in the first operation mode, and an SCS of 30 kHz isconfigured for the SS/PBCH block in the second operation mode.
 7. The UEof claim 1, further comprising at least one processor operably connectedto the transceiver, the at least one processor configured to determineparameters of a control resource set (CORESET) for monitoring commonsearch space (CSS) of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)including scheduling information for remaining minimum systeminformation (RMSI) when the SS/PBCH block is configured in the secondoperation mode, wherein the parameters of the CORESET includes at leastone of an SCS of the CORESET that is the SCS of the SS/PBCH block, abandwidth of the CORESET configured as 24, a number of symbols for theCORESET configured from 1, 2, or 3, and a frequency offset, configuredfrom 0, 1, 2, or 3, between a first resource block (RB) of the CORESETand a first resource block of the SS/PBCH block.
 8. A base station (BS)in a wireless communication system, the BS comprising: at least oneprocessor configured to: configure an operation mode for synchronizationsignals and physical broadcast channels (SS/PBCH) block as a firstoperation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is used on alicensed-assisted-access (LAA) secondary cell (Scell) or a secondoperation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is at least used on a primarycell (Pcell); configure a set of parameters as a first set of parametersfor the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of the SS/PBCH block isconfigured as the first operation mode or a second set of parameters forthe SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of the SS/PBCH block isconfigured as the second operation mode, wherein the first and secondset of parameters include different information from each other, theinformation comprising at least one of an SS/PBCH block structure or anSS/PBCH block time-domain mapping pattern; and a transceiver operablyconnected to the at least one processor, the transceiver configured totransmit, to a user equipment (UE), the SS/PBCH block over downlinkchannels using the configured set of parameters based on the configuredoperation mode.
 9. The BS of claim 8, wherein: the SS/PBCH blockstructure configured for the first operation mode is one symbol shorterthan the SS/PBCH block structure configured for the second operationmode; and a symbol mapped to a primary synchronization signal (PSS) inthe SS/PBCH block structure configured for the second operation mode istruncated in the SS/PBCH block structure configured for the firstoperation mode.
 10. The BS of claim 8, wherein: the SS/PBCH blocktime-domain mapping pattern configured for the first operation modeincludes consecutive symbols in a slot mapped to SS/PBCH blocks, theslot being mapped to at least more than two SS/PBCH blocks; and theSS/PBCH block time-domain mapping pattern configured for the secondoperation mode includes non-consecutive symbols in a slot mapped toSS/PBCH blocks, the slot being mapped to up to two SS/PBCH blocks. 11.The BS of claim 10, wherein, for the SS/PBCH block time-domain mappingpattern configured for the first operation mode: three SS/PBCH blocksare mapped to symbols 0, 4, and 7, respectively, as a start symbol inthe slot when the SS/PBCH block structure is configured to include 4symbols; and four SS/PBCH blocks are mapped to symbols 0, 3, 6, and 9,respectively, as a start symbol in the slot when the SS/PBCH blockstructure is configured to include 3 symbols.
 12. The BS of claim 8,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to configure anumerology of the SS/PBCH block including a subcarrier spacing (SCS) forthe first and second set of parameters configured for the first andsecond operation mode respectively, and wherein a first SCS configuredfor the SS/PBCH block in the first operation mode is larger than asecond SCS configured for the SS/PBCH block in the second operationmode.
 13. The BS of claim 12, wherein an SCS of 60 kHz is configured forthe SS/PBCH block in the first operation mode, and an SCS of 30 kHz isconfigured for the SS/PBCH block in the second operation mode.
 14. TheBS of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is further configuredto configure parameters of a control resource set (CORESET) formonitoring common search space (CSS) of a physical downlink controlchannel (PDCCH) including scheduling information for remaining minimumsystem information (RMSI) when the SS/PBCH block is configured in thesecond operation mode, and wherein the parameters of the CORESETincludes at least one of an SCS of the CORESET that is the SCS of theSS/PBCH block, a bandwidth of the CORESET configured as 24, a number ofsymbols for the CORESET configured from 1, 2, or 3, and a frequencyoffset, configured from 0, 1, 2, or 3, between a first resource block(RB) of the CORESET and a first resource block of the SS/PBCH block. 15.A method of a base station (BS) in a wireless communication system, themethod comprising: configuring an operation mode for synchronizationsignals and physical broadcast channels (SS/PBCH) block as a firstoperation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is used on alicensed-assisted-access (LAA) secondary cell (Scell) or a secondoperation mode in which the SS/PBCH block is at least used on a primarycell (Pcell); configuring a set of parameters as a first set ofparameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of the SS/PBCHblock is configured as the first operation mode or a second set ofparameters for the SS/PBCH block when the operation mode of the SS/PBCHblock is configured as the second operation mode, wherein the first andsecond set of parameters include different information from each other,the information comprising at least one of an SS/PBCH block structure oran SS/PBCH block time-domain mapping pattern; and transmitting, to auser equipment (UE), the SS/PBCH block over downlink channels using theconfigured set of parameters based on the configured operation mode. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein: the SS/PBCH block structure configuredfor the first operation mode is one symbol shorter than the SS/PBCHblock structure configured for the second operation mode; and a symbolmapped to a primary synchronization signal (PSS) in the SS/PBCH blockstructure configured for the second operation mode is truncated in theSS/PBCH block structure configured for the first operation mode.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein: the SS/PBCH block time-domain mappingpattern configured for the first operation mode includes consecutivesymbols in a slot mapped to SS/PBCH blocks, the slot being mapped to atleast more than two SS/PBCH blocks; and the SS/PBCH block time-domainmapping pattern configured for the second operation mode includesnon-consecutive symbols in a slot mapped to SS/PBCH blocks, the slotbeing mapped to up to two SS/PBCH blocks.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein, for the SS/PBCH block time-domain mapping pattern configuredfor the first operation mode: three SS/PBCH blocks are mapped to symbols0, 4, and 7, respectively, as a start symbol in the slot when theSS/PBCH block structure is configured to include 4 symbols; and fourSS/PBCH blocks are mapped to symbols 0, 3, 6, and 9, respectively, as astart symbol in the slot when the SS/PBCH block structure is configuredto include 3 symbols.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprisingconfiguring a numerology of the SS/PBCH block including a subcarrierspacing (SCS) for the first and second set of parameters configured forthe first and second operation mode respectively, wherein: a first SCSconfigured for the SS/PBCH block in the first operation mode is largerthan a second SCS configured for the SS/PBCH block in the secondoperation mode; an SCS of 60 kHz is configured for the SS/PBCH block inthe first operation mode; and an SCS of 30 kHz is configured for theSS/PBCH block in the second operation mode.
 20. The method of claim 15,further comprising configuring parameters of a control resource set(CORESET) for monitoring common search space (CSS) of a physicaldownlink control channel (PDCCH) including scheduling information forremaining minimum system information (RMSI) when the SS/PBCH block isconfigured in the second operation mode, wherein the parameters of theCORESET includes at least one of an SCS of the CORESET that is the SCSof the SS/PBCH block, a bandwidth of the CORESET configured as 24, anumber of symbols for the CORESET configured from 1, 2, or 3, and afrequency offset, configured from 0, 1, 2, or 3, between a firstresource block (RB) of the CORESET and a first resource block of theSS/PBCH block.